Neo Gundam Wing - OVA -
Episode 3 - Pretend
***

Shen sighed as he took a breath. It was the same as always, he'd try to do something nice for Trina and she'd run from him in front of everyone. Acht patted the boy on the back and grinned.

Acht: Hey now Shen if it doesn't work out between you and Trina you always have me!
Shen: I would rather have Kaze then you.
Acht: I'm hurt! You want the psycho and not me. *starts crying on Quat's shoulder*
Quat: Get off of me idiot!
Acht: But Kitty Kat! I love you! *starts chasing Quat all over the place*
Rena: *watches the two, unamused* Shen, it's not your fault Trina doesn't want to accept something from you. It's the fact that everytime she smiles she's only pretending.
Shen: And what's that suppose to mean?
Rena: There's somethings you don't know about her, that's what that means.
Shen: Then I'll make it my priority to find out!
Rena: Go ahead but I think it's best to leave things where they belong, in the past.
Shen: Now I see why no one wants to listen to you, you confuse people.
Rena: Perhaps one day you'll understand what I'm talking about. You're still a little kid compared to me and Trina.
Shen: If you're trying to say that Trina's too old for me I don't care.
Rena: Never said that. I just meant that you still act like a child so you'd never understand how Trina really feels until you grow up.
Shen: I have a feeling that you know more then you're telling me.
Rena: And as I said you'll understand why when you grow up.
Shen: I'm thirteen years old and I pilot a gundam I think I'm old enough!
Rena: I'm two years older then you and Trina a mear year younger then myself. We all pilot a gundam but that doesn't mean that we're any older then what we really are. The real place that you should grow up in is your mind. If you're still imature then you have no right to call yourself anything. Don't tell me it's impossible for someone to not be mature when they pilot a gundam. Quat is the same age as you and he still acts more mature in a serious situation while you believe that the world revolves around you and you should get what you want. Acting so selfish won't get you anything.
Shen: Humph...You only praise Quat because you like him. Don't ever compare me and that moron again! *stomps off to find Trina*
Rena: *mutters* Still green.

Quat walked scilently into the hanger knowing his sister would be there as usual staring at the most scariest gundam he's ever seen in his life.

Trina: What is it, Quat? Hiding from Acht?
Quat: How'd you know I was here?
Trina: It just felt like you were around. And I heard Acht screaming out your name as he passed by.
Quat: Oh. So what's up with you? Still upset or something? *notices no response* Ahh... Wow that's a big gundam!
Trina: You're terrible at starting a conversation.
Quat: *shrugs* What else can I do?
Trina: Just sit.
Quat: Ah ok... *sits down and looks up at the disturbing gundam*
Trina: Are you still afraid, Quat?
Quat: Me? Afraid?! HAHAHAHAHAHA! Yes... Wasn't that dad's gundam anyways?
Trina: That's what Haruka-saa tells me.
Quat: I'm starting to have second thoughts about his sanity. Mom always told me he was a little odd but this thing is kinda scary looking.
Trina: I guess so, but I think it's cute!
Quat: *stare* You know I never realized how much we don't really know about dad. Someone could've told me he was a psycho gundam pilot and not a normal guy that liked to look at nasty stuff.
Trina: He probably didn't want us to get the wrong idea about him.
Quat: I don't know about that but this gundam's pretty questionable. Tells me a lot about him...strange.
Trina: I believe our entire family is strange.
Quat: All the way back to grandpa?
Trina: Further back then him probably.
Quat: I guess you could be right though I always thought our grandpa on mom's side of the family was scary. Must of been a big shock for him to find out our mom was a gundam pilot.
Trina: Why would he, he was a gundam pilot too. A.C. 195, don't you remember?
Quat: It's been awhile since I've seen a history book that wasn't completely destroyed. *watches Trina ignore him* What's so facinating?
Trina: Nothing really. It's just that I feel something strange about this gundam. Like a weird connection to it. Kinda feels like papa.
Quat: Shouldn't that make sense? He did pilot it.
Trina: True but this thing feels bad almost evil like. It's almost like someone's trying to break out.
Quat: You think that gundam's alive or something? *starts laughing*
Trina: Well you explain why it's chained down like a prisoner.
Quat: That's simple, Haruka-saa didn't want anyone stealing the gundam. *notices Trina get up* Where are you going? *looks on as she touches the gundam* Eh...Trina?
Trina: *in an errie voice* Where is he?! WHERE IS HE?! I'LL KILL HIM! WHERE IS HE?! *looks over at Quat*
Quat: Trina, you're really scaring me.
Trina: Where...is...he?! *lets go of the gundam and blinks a few times*
Quat: What the hell was that?!
Trina: Ne? What are you talking about?
Quat: You were going on about killing someone and you stared directly at me while you were touching that thing.
Trina: Really? I don't remember that. You should stop telling lies, Quat.
Quat: I'm serious! You were really scarry looking too!
Trina: I'm telling mom that you're making up stories again. *leaves the hanger*
Quat: *frowns* But I'm not lying. *looks at the gundam* I don't know what you did but you leave us alone!

Haruka turns around to the sound of his name coming from Trina and puts down everything he had in his hands as she gives him a hug and starts crying.

Haruka: What's wrong this time?
Trina: It happened again! Quat said that I was acting all weird again.
Haruka: You weren't around SandStorm again where you?
Trina: I didn't mean to! I'm scared, Haruka-saa! Why can't you just destroy that thing?!
Haruka: Why? *stares at Trina still crying*

A.C. 223 -

Haruka: *sits down next to a familiar blond* Been awhile...
Waitress: Anything I can get you dear?
Haruka: Coffee, black.
Waitress: Ok.
Haruka: What did you want, Shingo?
Shingo: *looks up from his cup and stares at Haruka smiling* Nothing just wanted to see if you were still alive that's all. You're right, it has been awhile.
Haruka: Four years to be exact. Where have you been hiding at?
Shingo: Mars with Ariel.
Haruka: Everyone was worried about you after...*trails off*
Shingo: Yeah I know... So your a Preventor now, eh? Never thought you'd take up a job like that.
Haruka: *looks at his newly set cup in front of him* Yeah, Milliardo gave it up to take my mother's job.
Shingo: Vice Forgien Minister Milliardo Yuy... That sounds so strange. He could've been the best Preventor ever.
Haruka: Yeah but he decided that he wanted to be a politician rather then cop under a different name. Besides he and Duet are married now.
Shingo: So I've heard. You held back then.
Haruka: Had to, besides she much more happier with him. I have Michiru now anyway along with two girls and one on the way.
Shingo: Wow already out doing me. I've got a son and a daughter so far. I brought my daugther along with me so she could see her grandpa.
Haruka: That must of taken a lot of you to do such a thing.
Shingo: I've never been on good terms with him but I just keep reminding myself that this is what Trina wants to do. She's always asking questions about things. Besides I'm sure if I didn't do this she'd be very upset.
Haruka: And your son?
Shingo: He was too afraid to come. I don't blame him though.
Haruka: *notices a little girl in pink pull on Shingo's hair*
Girl: Shingo-saa I wanna play the dance game! *points to a DDR machine*
Shingo: I thought you already were... Haruka this is my little girl, Trina.
Trina: *stares at Haruka* You look funny, did you get ran over with a mower cause your hair is really messy. Or maybe a strong wind blew by. Is that really your hair?
Haruka: ...This is most definatly your kid.
Shingo: Here's some money go play.
Trina: Mmmk, but really is that his real hair?
Shingo: Trina what have I told you about talking about people?
Trina: It's rude and mean.
Shingo: Exactly so go play while me and Haruka-saa talk.
Trina: Ok.
Shingo: My days are numbered, Haruka, so I'll get to the point. I need you to take SandStorm.
Haruka: You still have that thing?!
Shingo: I couldn't get rid of it. I didn't know how and I still don't. It's right now on Phobos, I need you to take it and hide it.
Haruka: I think it's already in a good enough spot.
Shingo: No, people have been trying to get to it. I'm afraid that someone will soon enough and use the gundam.
Haruka: Why should we worry? You're the only one that can pilot the thing.
Shingo: That's not true.
Haruka: You mean...
Shingo: Yeah, it's possible.
Haruka: Then we'll set up some exposives on the thing and blow it up!
Shingo: Don't you think I already tried that?! Not a night goes by that I don't hear that thing in my head telling me how pathedic I am and how I should get rid of Ariel and the kids. Which brings me to my last request, I want you to kill me if I end up piloting the thing again.
Haruka: But you'll get stuck in there.
Shingo: I rather have that then know that I'll be used once again to kill people. *starts laughing a little*
Haruka: What's wrong now?
Shingo: Four, I've always said my lucky number was four. Four years I've been gone by since we've seen each other and now I ask you to kill me. It's going to be Trina's fourth birthday soon. Four was never my lucky number it was a curse. What bad luck I have. I can trust you to do as I ask correct?
Haruka: I'll see what I can do.
Shingo: Remember 'Ruka don't destroy that gundam it could very well be of some use to you one day. *takes a sip of his drink* Cold...as usual.

Present -

Haruka: Why? Because I made a promise a long time ago to a friend that I wouldn't.
Trina: It's not fair. Who would make you do something like that?
Haruka: I don't know anymore. Go to your room and rest for awhile I'm sure that it'll be alright after that.
Trina: Ok, Haruka-saa.
Ling: A promise to someone who you don't know anymore. Is that the real reason we still have that thing? Why not just hand it over to Hidama? She can't do anything with it anyway. Shingo's dead she made sure of that.
Haruka: I think that she did that because she knew he was the only one who could pilot it otherwise SandStorm is worthless to us. There also could be something she knows that I do as well.
Ling: What's that mean? Are you talking about that kid piloting?
Haruka: He probably could do it if he weren't bound to a promise.
Ling: One day he's going to break that promise and go for it, Haruka.
Haruka: Then we'll have to hope that day never happens.
Ling: Considering who he's around I'm sure it'll happen.
Haruka: You're talking about Ariel.
Ling: That girl's forever lost in a dream world.

Trina walks past the kitchen and notices a table set and ready as it usualy was each day at the same time, six o' clock.

Ariel: *places plates down on the table and smiles as she sees Trina* Trina you should get dressed up, your father's going to come home soon!
Trina: But, mama, papa's not going to come home because--
Ariel: Your father is coming home today, he was just busy working a lot yesterday that's all. He's coming home I know it. *starts crying* Look at me I'm crying! Your father would be upset if he saw me like this. Go get dressed Trina and tell your brother to do the same because your father is coming home today. I know he will.
Trina: *sighs* Ok Mama. I think Uncle Nova will come to dinner.
Ariel: Don't talk about such nonsense. Your uncle is on Earth and so is everyone else.
Trina: If you say so, mama.
Ariel: You should wear that pretty white dress your father bought you. He'd like it if you did that.
Trina: Yes, mama.
Ariel: And smile some more, dear, your father is coming home after all.
Trina: Yes, mama. *walks out the door and into Shen* Shen.
Ariel: Who are you talking to, Trina?
Trina: No one, mama!
Ariel: Hurry up then, your father is comming home soon.
Shen: Your father?
Trina: Yeah, my mother still thinks he's going to come home one day.
Shen: I thought he was dead.
Trina: I know, but she's the only one here that believes that he'll come home one day. I've tried explaining to her that he's dead but she just tells me to stop making up stories. She still thinks of me and Quat as little childeren living on Mars waiting for my father to come home. It's odd, yes, but I don't want to hurt her feelings and Haruka-saa has told me to just let her live her dream world until she realizes my father's not going to come back.
Shen: He's been gone for awhile I would've thought she'd suspect something by now. It has been ten years.
Trina: I think that's something called faith. I guess to you it sounds so silly to believe that someone would come back from the dead but I believed it too for awhile and still kind of do. I used to believe every word my mother told me until I noticed that the didn't reconize anyone but me and Quat. I guess it's because she's living in the past. There's a lot of things I know that you wouldn't understand, Shen, but at the sametime there's also a lot of things you know that I don't understand like why do you try giving me things even when I tell you I don't want them?
Shen: Because I await the day you do accept something from me. Why don't you accept anything?
Trina: I'm not ready to accept anything from anyone. You know it's like another one of those odd things about me.
Shen: Is that so? Someone also made me realize how fake the smiles you make really are. If you want to talk you can always talk to me.
Trina: Rena told you that, didn't she? I thought she would tell someone eventually. She's not good at keeping secrets but when she does tell someone she makes it difficult for them to understand what she says. Everything she does is the opposite of what she meant to do.
Shen: So could you spare me anymore confusion and tell me what you really think about me and...you?
Trina: I don't know about that yet. I'm just a princess waiting for my prince to come and rescue me that's all.
Shen: That's ok I suppose but I won't stop trying.
Trina: I don't expect you to.

Quat, Acht and for some odd Rena spied on the two while Acht was making kissing noises.

Acht: *sticks up a hand puppet representing Trina and another representing Shen* Oh Shenykins! I wuv joo! I wuv joo too Trwina! Kiss, kiss, kiss!
Quat: ...You're very disturbing. *pulls out a set of him and Rena and starts playing with them*
Rena: ...Both of you are and that thing looks nothing like me.
Quat: I tried so hard but your right nothing can compare to your beauty!
Rena: Whatever.
Acht: Think they're going to get past the talking?
Quat: Doubt it.
Rena: She doesn't like him.
Quat: And what about you liking me?
Rena: I'd rather die then even think of liking you.
Quat: You always have to be so mean.
Rena: *stares Quat in the face*
Acht: *looks back and forth between the two* Umm so you guys gonna just stare at each other?
Rena: *smacks Quat and turns back around*
Quat: Why'd you do that?!
Rena: I don't like the way you stare at me.
Acht: Aw man nothing happened. Shen just walked away.
Rena: As I expected.
Quat: Probably told him to get lost.
Haruka: I suppose this means you'll go back to what you were doing then, correct?
All Three: Yes, Haruka...

Trina closes the door to her room behind her and goes to a box under her bed and pulls out a once white dress dyed a faint red color at the bottom.

Trina: Papa I'm going to move on and stop pretending. *places the dress back in the box and exits the room* Perhapes thoes who can't do anything but pretend will do the same one day. *passes the kitchen with Ariel still waiting* There's still a lot of things I don't understand. *watches Acht give Quat a hug while Quat yells for Rena's help* I doubt I ever will understand them.*gets outside, finds a barrel, and tosses the box in with a lit match* Bye Papa.
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Sap...sap...and more sap! FEEL DA PAIN! BUWahahahha! Ermm I should go finish NGW.... *runs away*

-ChibiChibi-chan