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Being Human	By : greengal48 Category: Gundam Wing/AC > Het - Male/Female Views: 1025 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don’t own Gundam Wing. Nor am I making money from publishing this! It’s purely for fun. I do, however, own Lea Zikamo and all the other original characters. Enough said.

Chapter List
- 7
- 8
- 9
Chapter 8: The Return of the Zikamo Knights

“Ladies and gentlemen!” Mayor Rodecker’s voice echoed over the stadium loud speaker. “Welcome to the Twentieth Annual Mead Colony Founder’s Day Festival!”

The crowd seated in the semi-circle stadium roared joyously at the announcement. Fireworks screeched through the imitation night sky and erupted into bright balls of color. The local college band strutted onto the field playing an energetic tune. Behind them pranced out some cowgirls on their highly decorated horses. The band and the cowgirls executed some beautiful and rather tricky formations without skipping a beat. Oh’s and ah’s were heard from the crowd along with their applause.

All the contestants waiting in a tent to the far side of the field were dressed to impress. Some went for a more modern look with matching jeans, shirts and jackets. This was true for the Zikamo Knights. Trowa suggested they remain close to the colors in the house ribbon: black, silver and red. Black jeans, a smoky gray, long sleeve, pull-on shirt, and red jacket with “ZK” in silver gothic letters embroidered on the back became their uniform. Pramjeet and Relena had a uniform look that matched the men except a black, ankle length, jean skirt took the place of the jeans. Some of the other teams went for a more medieval style, dressed as aspiring Robin Hoods with their Maiden Marians. There were a few teams who opted for the extreme by wearing something straight out of some B rated sci-fi movie.

All of it was very entertaining to see. Yet, Heero Yuy, ex-Gundam Pilot, trained commando, and military genius was oblivious to it all. Standing before him was Lea, dressed in the most exotic outfit he had ever laid eyes on. She had on a skin tight white body suit with thick blue lines running down the sides of her body, with knee high boots that matched the body suit. The suit had built in gloves, which had a blue circle on each knuckle. A white strip of fabric as wide as her shoulders and long enough to meet at both the back and front of her knees draped over her with thick blue strips holding it together at either side of her hips.

It was very close to the B-rated sci-fi archers and there were a few more Fireflies present dressed like her but Lea looked more elegant and closer to normal than all of them. Lea had all the necessary parts covered but it still didn’t sit well for Heero. She had never exposed so much of her body before. Baggy, loose fitting clothes, was all she had ever worn. Now her small, slender, long legged form was viewable by all who were waiting to parade onto the field… That is, IF you stood at a certain angle or waited for her to move a certain way. Lea was too busy talking with Relena, Mitch and Pramjeet to even notice the groups of men a couple of paces away on either side of her. Any time she would move, they would move.

“They act like they haven’t seen a woman before,” Heero said in a low whisper, which turned out to be a low growl.

“They haven’t see Lea dressed the way she is,” Trowa corrected in an uninterested tone. He was watching the marching band and the cowgirls do their finishing formations. “Fireflies are known but hardly ever seen in public wearing their suits.” He gave Lea a quick scan and added, “She is quite stunning,” as an after thought. Lea chose that moment to turn around and smile at them. Her whole side was viewable: the back of her thigh, and butt mostly. “Yes, quite,” Trowa said smiling back.

Lea maneuvered through the crowd to Heero, Quatre and Trowa. She playfully punched Heero in the arm, “Cheer up. It’s only the ceremonies. You can look grumpy tomorrow.”

“Oh, that’s not his grumpy face,” Relena said with a giggle. “That’s his bodyguard mode face! I’d know that anywhere!”

“Bodyguard?” Lea echoed in muted shock.

Relena frowned, “Well… yes.” She then shot a glare at Heero. “Heero Yuy! I can’t believe you ha…”

“People, people, people!” a slow male voice called over a megaphone, drowning out Relena. “You’ve got five minutes to finish lining up. Remember to hand the announcer your team name card before heading out. And ribbon bearers, please stay with your group until you have tied the ribbon on the arm of your teammate! Thank you.”

“What was that last part about?” Quatre asked before Relena could get a word in.

Mitch shook her head and said with a giggle, “A little girl was in the ceremonies a while back. She was supposed to tie her ribbon on her brother’s arm but when her father’s team was called she ran to him and wouldn’t go back to her spot unless her father took her.”

“It happens every now and then,” Pramjeet said, also giggling.

“We’d best get in line if we want a good field position,” Trowa warned, again cutting Relena off. No one seemed to notice except Relena.

Mitch hugged Lea, Pramjeet, and Relena. To the men, she said, “Give ‘em hell, fellas.”

The line was forming fast. There was a bunch of other teams ahead of them. Once announced, the teams would walk, each archer armed up with their ribbon bearer, onto the field. There were three poles where the archers could place their bows and arrows grouped at a certain distance away from another group. The individual teammates were introduced once the team reached the next grouping of poles.

Each time a name was called, Lea would wince a little. She was nervously fidgeting with the house ribbon in her hand. Pramjeet placed a hand on Lea’s shoulder, “It’s alright, Lea.”

“I know,” she smiled weakly. “It’s just been so long since the Zikamo Knights have been out there.”

“You have the best team of archers this side of Mars,” Relena announced triumphantly. “There’s nothing to worry about.”

Lea beamed, “Thanks, Relena.”

The line inched forward slowly. Spirits were high and pleasant until there were two teams before them. “Last chance to back out!” Robert Carter called out behind them. Damian McCart chuckled and shrugged. Alistair smiled darkly at them. The M.C.C Archers were decked out in tan cowboy hats, brown boots, blue jeans and brown leather jackets with the M.C.C. branded on the back.

Heero turned around, the Death Glare in overdrive. Yet, there was the most maniacal smile with it. “And miss the chance to shut you up? Never.” The sadistically charming smile on Trowa’s face and Quatre’s humble nodding made Robert pail.

“All in the spirit of good sportsmanship, of course,” Quatre added sweetly with just a hint of venom. “We can never back down from a challenge.”

“I’ll remember that,” Damian replied, just as sweet and venomously, “so I can pin it next to your house ribbon when it’s pinned on the Loser’s Board.”

The air became thick with loathing as hate filled glares were passed. Neither team had noticed the line moving forward until the announcer hissed at them in a hushed voice, “Any day, people.” He cleared his throat once he was handed the team name card and did a double take. “Well, this is a treat! Welcome back to the field after ten years of retirement: the Zikamo Knights!”

“Zi-ka-mo! Zi-ka-mo!” the crowd roared and rose to their feet as the Zikamo Knights walked onto the field.

“Team captain, Heero Yuy, will be competing in the Traditional,” the announcer continued in a joyous tone once they had reached the next group of poles on the field. “Trowa Barton will compete in the Castle Wall and Quatre… Re… Re-bar-ba,” he sounded out slowly, “Winner will compete in the Horse and Rider.” Trowa and Quatre bowed and waved to the crowd as they were introduced. Heero merely raised a hand. “Sponsoring this team is none other than our beloved Firefly, Lea Zikamo with Relena Winner and Pramjeet Jafar as ribbon bearers!” Lea stepped forward and dropped into a deep, graceful curtsy. She held it for a few seconds as the crowd cheered louder than before. Relena and Pramjeet follow her example and curtsied. Standing up and stepping back, the ladies waved their thanks to the crowd.

“I had no idea the Zikamo Knights were so popular!” exclaimed Relena.

Lea smiled sheepishly and shrugged, “It’s more the legend behind the Knights than anything else.”

“Good to have you back, Ms. Zikamo,” the announcer said quickly. “And now, ladies and gentlemen! The moment you have been waiting for!”

“M-C-C! M-C-C!” the crowd started chanting. With great delight, Heero noticed it wasn’t cheered as loudly as their team name was.

“Yup! That’s right, folks! Six time winner of the crown! The one! The only! The M.C.C. Archers!”

Once again, the crowd broke into a loud applause, even standing up and throwing confetti as the M.C.C. Archers trotted onto the field waving. To Heero’s ears, it sounded forced and fake. The announcer had a smidgen less enthusiasm in his voice as he introduced them. “The team captain and sponsor is Damian McCart. He’s competing in the Horse and Rider field.”

Quatre frowned, “Damn. I wanted to wipe that smug smile off Robert’s face.”

“McCart needs his pedestal knocked from under him, too,” Pramjeet suggested.

“True,” Quatre said slowly, as if considering the possibilities.

“Next,” the announcer said, “is Robert Carter who will be competing in the Castle Wall field.”

“Looks like I get the honors,” Trowa said. He patted Quatre on the shoulder. “He won’t get anywhere near the crown.”

“And last but by far the least, the second best archer Mead has ever known…”

“Second,” echoed Quatre and Trowa. Heero’s head tilted slightly and his eyebrows bunched.

“Alistair Vosh competing in the Traditional!”

“Vosh! Vosh! Vosh!” the female portion of the crowd chanted louder than the male. Alistair stepped forward and tipped his hat. Squeals and proclaims of affections rang from all over the stadium. He blew them a kiss and waved as he stepped back.

“It’s like he’s a movie star!” Relena exclaimed in shock.

Pramjeet and Lea laughed. “In a way,” Lea explained, “he is!”

Heero’s maniacal smile returned with an evil gleam in his left eye. “Good.” He had been wanting a chance to see just how tough Alistair was. If he was this popular and the “second” best archer, then his defeat would be even sweeter to Heero.

The rest of the teams went by quickly. The crowd wasn’t as boisterous with any of them as they were with the Zikamo Knights and the M.C.C Archers. “Ribbon bearers, please step forward!” the announcer ordered once the last team was done with their bows. The crowd’s volume fell to a dull murmur. All the ribbon bearers moved in front of their archers and faced them. “Archers! Kneel and present shooting arm.”

Heero knelt and held out his right arm. Before him stood Lea smiling at him. Her beautiful brown eyes shined with pride and love. It made his pulse race and he couldn’t help but smile back. ‘Her family tradition has now become mine.’ His smile broadened as he realized just how happy it made him feel.

“Ribbon bearers may now tie the ribbon on your archers.”

Lea tied the ribbon on Heero’s outstretched arm with shaky fingers. Everything felt like it was in slow motion, like a dream. She couldn’t believe she was back on the field representing the Zikamo Knights and tying her house ribbon on Heero’s arm. After her father’s death, she had vowed to never sponsor or enter into the contest. Too many special memories were associated with this contest that had made her heart ache.

‘I have healed in more ways than I thought possible.’ She looked into Heero’s Prussian blues, feeling a warmth and joy she hadn’t felt in a long time. ‘And it’s all because of you…’ With one gloved hand, Lea tilted Heero’s head up. The other gently bushed back the strands of hair that always fell in his face. She placed a soft kiss on his forehead and whispered in a faint voice, “Thank you.” She moved back, smiling at the array of emotions, ranging from shock to confusion to delight, that flickered across Heero’s face.

“Citizens of Mead Colony, I now present to you the contestants for this year’s Kings of Mead Archery Contest!” The crowd cheered louder than ever and tossed confetti and streamers. “Ribbon bearers, please exit the field. Archers, please get ready.”

“Thank you,” Lea said hugging Trowa and Quatre. “Have fun. I’m not expecting the crown or anything. Ok?”

“Don’t worry. We’ll have fun, Lea,” Quatre assured her. His kind words visibly relaxed Lea.

The ladies waved their goodbyes as they followed the rest of the ribbon bearers off the field. Lea couldn’t help but feel a little nervous. “Calm down,” Pramjeet laughed, wrapping her arm around Lea’s shoulders. “Everything’s going to be fine.”

“I keep telling myself that,” she sighed, “but my stomach isn’t agreeing. Oh no.” Lea slowed down, eyes locked on a man dressed in a three-piece suit and sunglasses. ‘The idiot does wear them all the time.’ He was standing in the doorway of the tent. People were giving him the evil eye as they passed him for just standing there leaving little room to get by. “Can’t he wait?”

“Excuse me,” Relena said to Pramjeet and Lea before sifting her way through the crowd to the man. “Are you here to take Ms. Zikamo to the gens?” The man didn’t answer. He continued to watch Lea. Relena took a deep breath to keep her calm before saying, “I know you’re interested in this … um… this last part, too. I mean who wouldn’t?” The man still said nothing. Lea and Pramjeet finally caught up to her.

“Relena, what’s going on?” Lea asked once she saw Relena’s intense frown.

The man turned to head into the tent. Relena followed him, “Hey! I’m talking to you! Can’t you let her see how good her team does? Spare her ten minutes. I know you can do that. Are you…”

He turned around and yanked his sunglasses off revealing his frustration. “Listen carefully,” he forced out through clinched teeth. “Ms. Zikamo has a job to do and so do I. No amount of pestering is going to change that. Got it?”

Relena tossed her hands into the air. “The nerve of this man!” Her voice carried over the low hum of the people nearby. Some of them were casting puzzled looks their way. “He won’t let Lea, beloved sponsor of the Zikamo Knights, watch them light those hoop thingies,” she explained to those who were listening in. The man’s mouth dropped open when some of the people shot glares at him. “That’s what I thought, too,” she continued. “She’s got a job to do, he says,” she said, mocking his voice. “It’s not fair! It’s her team for crying out loud!”

The man was turning red due to embarrassment and anger. Lea had her hands over her mouth to keep from laughing out loud. Pramjeet was looking around amazed at all the sympathy Relena had generated in the crowd.

“Let her stay,” someone yelled.

“Yeah! Stop being a prick!” another person called out.

“Let her stay! Let her stay!” The crowd was thickening around them chanting. Relena was in the middle pumping her fist in the air to the rhythm of the chant. Lea couldn’t contain her laughter. Pramjeet joined into the chanting, trying to encourage more people to join, too.

“What’s going on here!” a man dressed in a sheriff uniform pushed his way to the middle of the chanting crowd. “Quiet! I said shut it!” The crowd slowly fell silent. Lea sobered up quickly. Pramjeet looked as unimpressed as a three-year old would, staring at a Van Gogh. Relena flashed him a smile. “Are you responsible for this?” he asked her.

“It’s not her fault,” a lady said, grabbing the sheriff by the arm. She pushed her homemade princess crown back on her head and thrust a finger at the man in the suit. “It’s his! He’s the one, officer.”

The man rolled his eyes. “It’s a little misunderstanding, Sheriff Kayhill.”

Sheriff Kayhill lifted a skeptical eyebrow. “A little, Brock? You’d best explain.”

“Archers,” the announcer’s voice rang out, “notch your arrows.”

“She’s going to miss it!” the lady squealed in dismay. “Quick! Get her to a screen!” People tried to move but there was nowhere to go.

“We’re packed in,” Pramjeet said. Then she snapped her fingers as an idea popped into her head, “Put her on someone’s shoulders!”

Before she could protest, Lea was lifted onto someone’s shoulders. “Can you see?” he asked.

She glanced around for the nearest screen, “Yes! I can.” ‘Lady luck must be on my side! There’s my team!’ Heero, Trowa and Quatre stood still with their bows loaded. All of them had blank expressions. ‘Such concentration.’ A teenager, who was a part of the festivities, trotted up to them with a torch. Lea’s breath caught in her lungs.

“Ladies and gentlemen, silence please.” The crowd instantly fell silent, as did everyone in the tent. “Ok, people, light your arrows. Take aim.” The Zikamo Knights all took aim showing perfect form. There wasn’t a flicker of uncertainty on their faces or shakiness to their stance. “Fire!”

The arrows flew towards circles of hay mounted on poles a good twenty yards away. A great majority of them either fell short or over shot the hoops of hay. Other’s made their mark, setting the hoop ablaze. If a team was able to get one hoop lit, they were able to advance into the second elimination round. For two, they were rewarded with choosing which order they wanted to go in the elimination rounds. If you had the chance to get all three hoops lit, the team was automatically entered into the final rounds.

The M.C.C. Archers and The Zikamo Knights were the only ones to light all three of their hoops. Relena and Pramjeet hugged each other, laughing and cheering. Lea whooped and pumped her fists into the air, almost toppling off the shoulders of the kind man holding her. Both Sheriff Kayhill and Brock helped Lea off of the man’s shoulders.

“Thank you,” she said to the kind man and the lady in the princess hat. “Ok, Sheriff,” she smiled sheepishly, “I’m off now.”

He shook his head, tilting the cowboy style police hat back a little and chuckled, “Try not to set off anymore riots, ‘kay?”

Lea laughed, “Sure.” She hugged Relena and Pramjeet. “Thanks you two and tell the guys congratulations.”

“We will,” they said in unison.

With a wave to the crowd, Lea left with Brock following, still smoldering in anger and embarrassment.

~::*::~

Muhuhahahahhahaha! The magnificent cliffy beast rears his often shot at head. Truthfully, I never thought the cliffy beast would visit me. It did. No matter. Chapter 9 is currently in the works. Once again, don’t hold you’re breath. I don’t want anyone passing out on my account. Thanks for reading and please review!
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Being Human