A losing plan

Chapter 8

"Rani," you whispered, too much in shock from seeing her standing there.

You had caught a flight to Brussels the very same night. An agent was sent to pick you up, but if you had known that such an agent would've been your sister ...

You weren't ready yet to deal with her!

"[Name]," Rani whispered despondently. She took a step forward, then another and another and another - until she was standing right in front of you. She threw her arms around you and held on for dear life, sobbing against your shoulder. "You're alive!" she mumbled over and over again.

The sheer relief in her voice nearly made you break and you hesitantly raised your own arms so you could hold her close. This meeting was undoubtedly Wufei's doing and you glared at him for it. If he knew what you were planning - or what a meeting with Sasaki truly meant for you - he wouldn't have put Rani through this.

"I'm sorry, Rani," you whispered, honestly saddened at seeing her in this state.

Rani quickly - and quite vehemently - shook her head.

"No. It's my fault. I knew how you felt and I ... I'm so sorry, [Name]," she hiccupped.

You scoffed, not entire pleased to know you had been right on that account.

"We all did stupid shit," you pointed out dully. Yours was giving Anton a chance to fuck you over -though maybe agreeing to any of this could also be defined as 'stupid shit'.

Rani pulled back with a shocked look. She stared at you for a few seconds, searching your gaze.

"You've changed," she muttered with a sad smile.

"Apparently," you grumbled, hating how people kept pointing that out. They all seemed so sad about it. Was the new you not good then?

"Rani," Wufei began, placing a comforting hand on your sister's lower back. Rani brushed away the tears and pasted on a smile for her lover. "We should get going. Staying in the open isn't a good idea," Wufei continued once he had Rani's attention.

Though she did frown, Rani only nodded in consent and let the way to the car. She would've never done so four years ago. That girl loved arguing about the silliest thing - usually with disastrous results. Perhaps being with Wufei was doing her some good.

The car ride itself was made in relative silence. You did spend all about of two minutes fussing over Heero as his movements hadn't been quite so steady. Levi had told you that he needed to take it easy. Taking a plane only seven hours later was not following orders - though apparently that depended on who you asked.

"I'm fine!" Heero had stated curtly, forcing you to back off.

All the time, though, Rani kept shooting you glances through the rearview mirror - although she wisely refrained from speaking. Your sudden appearance was obviously not a subject to be discussed just yet. You wondered if she would ever get the chance to do so.

"Une is meeting you in D-20, sixth floor," Rani offered the moment she briefly pulled over near the underground elevator.

Both Heero and Wufei were out of the car when Rani halted you by grabbing your arm.

"I hope we can talk soon," she whispered hopefully to which you nodded your head.

You only hesitated for a few seconds, before you plunged on by saying, "It wasn't your fault, Rani. I hope you know that."

Your heart dropped as Rani drove away, the tires screeching on the artificial concrete of the underground parking lot. Wufei led the way towards the conference room where Une was already waiting with such a stern gaze that you briefly forgot to breathe. Then, her gaze moved towards Heero and you breathed a sigh of relief.