Gundam Wing: The First Chapter Part 16
The barren fields of Colony W52 stretched for miles as they lied in silence following the long battle that had taken place there. Large craters, upturned rocks and earth along small fires still burning after the attack left told the tale of the great struggle that had raged. Lying facedown in the center of the quiet battlefield was Excalibur. The black, winged Gundam's Buster Riffle and laser blade had fallen several feel from their owner.
Inside, flat on her stomach against her main monitor, Kumi lied unconscious. Her long, silver hair was in disarray as wisps of it fell loose from her ponytail. Her purple tank top was tattered and torn after being thrashed about in her cockpit until her harnesses finally snapped loose. The Japanese pilot's exposed skin that was not covered in bruises was dripping blood from large cuts and gashes on her body. Her right cheek pressed roughly against the screen beneath her, the corner of her left eye leaked blood that ran down the side of her face. That blood merged the small stream of blood flowing from the side of her mouth.
Groaning deeply in pain, Kumi slowly regained consciousness as she stirred cautiously. Every movement brought pain that she worked to mentally numb as she forced herself to sit up. After being slammed into her monitor, the right side of her face was a large, black bruise. Realizing that she couldn't feel her right arm as she attempted to rise, the silver-haired girl turned to see that her shoulder had been dislocated. Gritting her teeth and narrowing her eyes, Kumi took hold of her limp right arm. With one swift thrust, she forced the bone back into place as it snapped loudly at being returned where it belonged. The pain shooting through her was enough to make her force back a sharp cry of agony. Biting into her cut and swollen lip, her eyes closed tightly as she absorbed the shock.
Taking hold of one of her loose harnesses swinging above her, Kumi grunted in effort as she pulled herself back into her seat. Once she was sitting in her chair again, she growled deeply while pulling back on her controls to make Excalibur rise. When she managed to make her Gundam push it's front half up from the ground, the sound of engines filled the air. Looking up, Kumi's cobalt eyes narrowed fiercely.
Landing several feet before the fallen Gundam was a mobile suit as tall and massive as Excalibur. Standing tall and shining under the sun, the impressive suit had the body of a man with the large hear of a Capricorn. While it wasn't made of Gundanium, there was not a scratch on it, where Excalibur's metal had been bent and scraped in more than just a few places following their fight.
The pilot of that suit finally showed himself on Kumi's monitor as he chuckled deeply. His dark hair and closely shaven beard highlighted his sharp features along with his tall and muscular build. The man smirked, "I'm impressed. I've fought countless others and none have lasted as long as you."
"Who are you?" Kumi asked in a low, demanding growl. "I want to know the name of the man whose throat I'm going to tear apart."
Laughing a loud, belly laugh as he threw his head, the man replied, "I admire that spirit of yours." Regaining his composure, he locked eyes with the young woman and a smug grin spread on the other pilot's face as he finally answered, "Demetris." Softly, the Japanese pilot repeated the name to herself, locking it into her memory.
Demetris smirked, "I've never left my prey in one piece, but I look forward to meeting with you again, Kumi." His smile became menacing when he leaned closer to the screen and lowered his voice, "It'll make finishing you off all the more enjoyable." Sitting back, he grinned, "Until we meet again."
Engines roaring, Demetris' suit shot into the skies just as Kumi forces Excalibur to its feet. Gazing up to the heavens, she glared threateningly as the suit disappeared from sight, vowing quietly, "Until we meet again."
* * * * * *
In the hanger of the large ship where they had stationed themselves, Sette watched with wide, horrified eyes as Excalibur landed. As she ran closer to the suit, she took in the extensive damage that had been done to it. As the cockpit opened, Kumi slowly made her way out. Using a ripcord, she lowered herself to the floor. Sette gasped sharply as she forced herself to a halt. The princess's face paled at the ghastly sight of the silver-haired pilot.
Kumi paid no mind to her comrade's shocked and terrified state as she limped past her. Her blood dripped to the floor as she made her way slowly to the door. Running up to her side, Sette shouted in concern, "Kumi! What was that strange object you went after!? You were gone for almost two hours!? Matt just left to look for you! What the hell happened to you!? You shouldn't walk to the medical ward in your condition! I'll call for a stretcher!"
Stopping in her footsteps, the beaten pilot turned to the blue-haired girl as she said flatly, "I'm perfectly capable of getting myself there on my own." Sette bit her bottom lip to fight back the countless responses that came to mind.
Her cobalt eyes narrowing, Kumi raided a finger as she advised the tomboy, "I want the research branch to look up the name Demetris. I want any and every report that it appears on brought to my attention, no matter how mundane it seems. And have them search for any ties to a mobile suit with the head of a Capricorn. That bastard's still out there."
Fear returned to Sette's blue eyes as she nodded firmly, "I'm on it."
Nodding in response, Kumi turned away from her and walked to the hanger door. Pausing in the doorframe, the silver-haired pilot didn't look back to her partner as she said, "Tell the crew I'm going to need a lot of cleaning rags. I have a lot of blood to clean up in my cockpit when I get to Excalibur's repairs."
Taking a deep breath, Sette called after her, "I'll let them know." With another small nod, Kumi walked from the hanger as the door closed behind her.
Hesitantly, the tomboy looked up to the damaged Gundam. Never before had she seen Excalibur or Kumi in such a terrible state. Sighing deeply, she frowned, "As if we didn't have enough to worry about."
* * * * * *
The doors to the ninth hanger opened as Quatre ran inside. Gasping with an elated smile, his eyes fell on his two missing friends as they gazed on the Gundams lined side-by-side across from the landing they stood on. "Heero! Wufei!" the Arabian called.
Duo and Trowa walked up behind Quatre as the their comrades turned to at the mention of their names. Heero's gaze locked with Duo's instantly as their eyes held each other for a frozen moment. The braided pilot gave a small, nervous smile as the Japanese boy remained expressionless.
As the blonde pilot floated ahead of him and Trowa as followed on foot, Duo smirked, "So you made it without getting shot to pieces."
Below them, on the floor of the hanger several feet the balcony the boys stood on, Noin and Sally watched the reunion with relieved smiles. The Gundam pilots were finally reunited. Not a moment too soon as far as the young women were concerned.
Quatre pulled himself down to land before his comrades as Wufei grinned, "Hey. Do you mind if we stay a while?"
The Arabian smiled in reply, No. Stay as long as you like. I'm just glad to have you guys visiting with us." Duo and Trowa walked up behind him.
Trowa stayed back a bit as he watched the scene unfold between the unfamiliar faces. Wufei and Quatre engaged themselves in a friendly discussion as Duo rested a gently hand on Heero's shoulder. The American smiled, "It's good to have the group together again. We were worried about the two of you." The Wing pilot gave a small nod in response.
Finally, Trowa stepped forward. The Japanese pilot turned to him as the tall boy asked quietly, "You... You're Heero?"
Confusion filled those cobalt eyes as Heero began, "Trowa...?"
Gasping sharply, Quatre waked up as he explained with a guilty frown, "Heero... Trowa's memory was lost after what happened since when we thought he was killed. He doesn't remember anything about the war or us." Heero frowned as he looked from the blonde pilot to Trowa.
Resting his arm over Quatre's shoulder, Duo smirked at him and winked, "You make it sound so permanent, Quat. It won't be long before Tro will have his memory back. And stop silently blaming yourself for what happened." The other boy smiled gratefully as he gave a nod.
All the while, Trowa watched the Wing pilot as the conversation around him continued. 'Heero,' he thought to himself. 'So that's who I've been looking for.'
* * * * * *
Later that evening, Heero and Duo were at the far end of the ninth hanger. The Japanese boy leaned his back against the railing of the landing with his arms crossed. The braided pilot faced the opposite direction, his hands on the railing as he gazed up to Wing Zero. "So," Duo began, "you brought that troublesome suit with you." A small laugh bubbled from his throat as he commented, "You'd have to be insane to pilot a thing like that."
Heero replied coolly, "I never said you had to pilot it."
Duo turned to him with wide eyes and a shocked, 'huh' as he faces his friend. His surprise turned into anger as his eyes slightly narrowed when he shouted back, "You piloted it, though! In that case!"
The Wing pilot answered flatly, "I can handle that suit. Peering at the other pilot out of the corner of his eye, he continued, "I have experience from piloting Epyon, which has the same system on it."
"Epyon!" the American yelled in both awe and fear. Pointing at his friend with his violet eyes as wide as they could grow, he hollered, "You mean the one Zechs was on!? What were you doing piloting that thing!?"
His voice caught in this throat as he thought of what to say. Finally, Duo sighed deeply in frustration as he sagged forward. Turing his back to Heero, he folded his hands behind his head as sadness threaded his voice, "I almost forgot what you're like. You're just about as far from normal as they come." At that he started walking off.
Heero frowned to himself and closed his eyes as he processed what his comrade had said. Pausing in his steps, Duo lowered his head in guilt as he sighed softly to himself. He turned and walked back to the Japanese boy.
When Heero looked up at him, the braided youth placed a hand over his chest as he frowned and said sincerely, "I'm sorry, Heero. I didn't mean that." The other pilot remained expressionless, but listened nonetheless. Taking a deep breath, Duo went on, "I know that you're capable of a lot of amazing things, it's just that... I worry about you."
Shaking his head, the Japanese boy turned his head away as he replied, "You're wasting your time. I'm not worth worrying over. I'm expendable when it comes to the war."
Closing his eyes, Duo folded his hands behind his head and leaned his back against the railing beside his partner. Quietly, without opening his eyes, he shrugged, "I'll bet good old J had a lot to do with that in what he taught you. He had you trained enough to destroy not only your Gundam, but yourself on his word without hesitation. You probably don't ever see yourself as a person but some lifeless tool or weapon."
Heero's head turned to face the other boy. Duo's eyes opened as he looked into those cobalt pools. There was something in those eyes and in that face that he had never seen there before. Sadness... Acceptance... It was the most heartbreaking thing that Duo had ever seen.
Frustration filled his violet spheres as they narrowed. Turning to face his friend, the American rested his right arm on the railing as he said softly, "You do see yourself as that don't you? You don't think you're any better than a machine?"
No answer came from the Wing pilot as he retained his expressionless mask that had slipped for the briefest of moments. Duo leaned closer as his eyes closed when he laughed, "You'd have to be infallible for that to be true, pal! You and I both know that you make mistakes just like I do, just like anyone else does!"
With a low grunt, Heero's eyes narrowed as he sharply turned his back to the other boy and began to walk away. The laughter behind him died instantly and Duo's voice spoke, "You're not a weapon. You have to believe that." Heero paid no mind as he continued to walk off.
Duo's hand wrapped securely around the Japanese pilot's right wrist as he yelled, "You're a human being!" With a small gasp, Heero stopped and turned back to the braided teenager with wide eyes.
Keeping his hold on his friend's wrist, the American frowned sorrowfully and whispered, "What is keeping you from seeing that? Why can't you see yourself as a person like myself? Like the others? In the end, you're no different than any of us."
Disbelief spun behind Heero's cobalt eyes as he gazed on Duo. He never answered. He didn't know how to answer. For a moment, they just stared at each other in silence. Duo never broke his loose grip on the Wing pilot's wrist. Heero never moved to be free from that touch.
Finally, he spoke again, faintly, "Since the day we met, I've only known you to be no more than a person, Heero. Not a machine. Not a weapon. A person." Take a deep breath, he continued, "Your emotions are blocked off, but I know they're there. You act as though you don't care about anything when I know that deep down you care about more than even you're aware."
Considering his words, Duo paused briefly. Then he whispered, "You don't think you have a soul, but I know you do." Heero's stoic mask dissipated once more as what almost looked like hope took its place.
With a shuddery breath, the Wing pilot's eyes closed as he recalled the vision he had of the braided pilot. The naked boy wrapped his arms around Heero's own nude form as he whispered softly, 'Heero... Heero, your emotions can't be hidden forever. You were conditioned to be a weapon, but you're a human being... You're a beautiful human being.'
Opening his eyes again, they lost themselves in violet fields as Duo bit his lip nervously. After a long pause to summon his courage, Duo began quietly, "I... I've been meaning to tell you..."
Suddenly, the hanger doors behind him opened as Quatre waved with a bright smile, calling, "Duo, Heero, there you are! Sally and Miss Noin said that they want us together for dinner to catch up! It should just few about on hour or so!"
Turning his head back to the Arabian, Duo's eyes narrowed and his fists tightened at his sides as a long growl. He replied through his clenched teeth, "Thank you for the announcement, Quat." In a deep, low growl, he mumbled to himself, "Heaven forbid it had waited just a few more minutes." Behind him, he heard the Japanese boy clear his throat.
His frustration forgotten, Duo turned back to watch as his partner departed the other way. Blinking his widened eyes, the braided teenager began, "Heero..."
"I have a few things to take care of before dinner," Heero explained. Looking back over his shoulder, he smirked, "Since I'm going to be here a while, I better get settled in. I'll see you in about an hour." Turning his back to his comrade, he shrugged, "Besides, if I remember correctly, your plan in getting me to beg you to stay one of these days."
Duo's eyes filled with shock before they narrowed when he shouted after him, "You're damn right that's still my plan!" Heero chuckled deeply as he walked through the door and out of the American's sight.
Placing his hands on his hips with a huff, Duo glared at the empty doorway for a moment. His anger faded as he smiled warmly and sighed softly to himself. "So he did remember that little comment of mine back at the boarding school," he said to himself.
Looking up to the ceiling, Duo smiled, "Heero... I don't know how I'm going to do it... But I'll give it my best." Grinning from ear-to-ear, the braided pilot ran to the opposite door as he gave an excited yell.
* * * * * *
Just moments later, Heero was lying on the bed in his small room when a soft knock came to his door. Sitting up, he called to the door, "The door's open." When it opened in response, his cobalt spheres widened slightly as he said quietly, "Trowa."
The Latin pilot entered the room, closing the door behind him as he leaned his back against the wall. His hands were folded behind his back as he asked timidly, "I... I didn't wake you, did I?"
Shaking his head, Heero answered, "No." Relief filled Trowa's expression and his head lowered slightly. The Wing pilot was the first to break the silence as he questioned, "Is everything all right? What did you need to see me about?"
Without out saying anything, Trowa lowered his hands from behind him. When he brought them forward, they held the small ceramic house that Duo had given Heero. The Japanese boy's eyes widened as he gasped softly. "I think this belongs to you," the tall pilot said quietly as he walked towards the bed. Gently, he lowered the tiny cottage into the other teenager's hands.
Staring down on the familiar remains of his gift in shock and disbelief, Heero held it gingerly. His parted lips finally moved after a long pause as he whispered, "How... How did you find this?"
Closing his eyes and turning his head away, Trowa folded his arms as he answered, "I came across it when I was wandering the Colony I found myself on."
"You actually managed to recognize this small?" Heero asked, lifting his eyes from the small ceramic house for the first time.
Turning his head back to meet the other boy's eyes, Trowa replied, "I can't really explain how or why I did. It had been days that I was searching, looking for something familiar. That was the first and only thing that I recognized when I found it." Slowly, he started walking towards the bed as he continued, "Somehow, I though that if I remembered that, I might know whoever it was linked to."
Heero's eyes filled with a hint of discomfort as the tall pilot approached him. Trowa spoke quietly, "Then I heard your name for the first time. When I did, it was like another piece of the puzzle coming together." He stopped just before the Japanese boy as he looked down on him. "Before, I was afraid to remember whatever I lost," he stated, "but now, I want to know what I've forgotten. I don't feel at place anywhere like this."
"I know this sounds strange, but I thought that somehow we were... connected somehow," Trowa admitted after taking a deep breath. "If there was anyone who might help me remember the other pieces I've lost, I thought that it would be you."
Swallowing hard, Heero's cobalt orbs widened as Trowa placed a hand gently on his cheek. "There must be some reason that I recognized you," the tall pilot whispered.
Retorting, the Wing pilot shook his head, "Tro-" when his words were cut off as the other boy bent down quickly and pressed their lips together. Heero's eyes widened and made no move to return the kiss. Before he could stop the other boy, he was pushed back to lie on the mattress as Trowa lowered himself on top. "Trowa," Heero said in an uncomfortable voice as he tried to shift himself from the arms embracing him.
Lifting himself up to gaze down on the Japanese boy beneath him, Trowa said quietly, "It only makes sense that this would help me regain what I've forgotten. Even your lips feel familiar."
Gazing up into his friend's emeralds eyes, Heero remained expressionless as he explained flatly, "I'm sorry, but there was nothing between us before you were lost. We worked together on several occasions, but we never were involved the way you think we were. I'm not sure why you remember the things that you do, but it isn't what you're interpreting it to mean."
For a moment, Trowa remained still and silent as he processed the other pilot's words. "Even so," he said quietly, "I may never now unless I try, ne?"
Heero's breath hitched in his throat. This wasn't right. He knew it wasn't and he didn't like being in this situation. But, he also didn't want to offend Trowa by forcing him out of his room. It could matters words for the other boy's condition. Attempting to say something, Heero began, "I..." His voice failed him as he searched for something to say. Sighing softly, the Wing pilot closed his eyes.
Trowa smiled before lowering himself fully onto Heero, closing his own eyes as he kissed him. Though the Japanese pilot never responded to the caress of their lips or his hand moving along the sides on his chest, that didn't stop the Latin teenager. Slowly, he moved his hands over Heero's chest. All the while, the boy under him never made any response. Taking hold of the green tank top, Trowa began to lift he fabric up to reveal the muscled abdomen beneath.
With a sharp gasp, Heero's eyes snapped open when he felt his comrade's wet tongue run its way across his exposed skin. Looking up at the small reaction, Trowa returned to his mission as he moved to plant kissed where he had his first taste of the Wing pilot. "T-Trowa," Heero whimpered. It wasn't pleasure behind his voice. It was almost pain.
Sitting up, the tall pilot asked what was wrong with his questioning expression. His shirt was no longer as he panted softly, waiting to hear what was wrong. "We can't do this," Heero told him. Beads of sweat shines on his forehead as he shook his head and said, "This isn't right."
"This isn't right?" Trowa repeated as his emerald gems filled with confusion.
Nodding, the Japanese youth closed his eyes. Before he could stop the words, he found himself answering quietly, "There is someone else. I didn't realize it for certain until now."
Chuckling softly, the tall pilot replied, "In that case, close your eyes and imagine I'm them. I don't mind. We'll keep this our secret from that someone."
Gripping the sheets, Heero winces as he felt Trowa pull his spandex shorts down, exposing him. Taking the advice given, he forced himself to forget who was touching him. Moaning softly, he felt the mouth on his chest move its way downward. Trowa had pulled Heero's shorts off along with his shows and socks, leaving only the green tank top to remove later. After packing himself, he moved to take the Wing pilot's erection into his mouth.
The sound of the bedroom door sliding open prevented Trowa from accomplishing his task as he pushed himself up and turned to the doorway with a sharp gasp. Heero quickly raised himself on his elbows as he looked in the same direction. The Japanese boy's breath caught in his throat as his cobalt eyes widened. In the doorframe with eyes as wide as saucers and his mouth parted, Duo stood frozen. Shock and heartbreak swirled in those violet fields as he stared in disbelief at Heero and Trowa in their state. Time froze as the three boys watched each other.
After an uncomfortable silence that seemed to last days, with his own eyes still widened, Heero finally whispered, "Duo..." He pulled himself back away from under the tall pilot. As he's back straightened against the bedpost, his tank top fell past his waist, covering him again.
Duo's mouth moved a few times, but his voice failed him. Finally, his voice cracked as he could only softly, "W-what is this?"
Sitting up, Trowa cleared his throat and answered, "I came over to... try to work out some things." Looking up to meet eyes with the braided pilot, he said calmly, "I was just... catching up with Heero, that's all."
Snorting as a lopsided smirk tilted on his lips, Duo responded, "Look, Trowa, let's just forgot that I stopped over. I didn't mean to interrupt your... working things out here." Cursing himself silently for his own choice of words, the Latin pilot frowned and lowered his head in guilt. The American took a deep breath before saying faintly, "This is what I get for not knocking."
Narrowing his violet eyes, Duo looked to the Wing pilot as he addressed him in a low growl, "My apologies, Heero." The Japanese boys widened slightly on his comrade. Gazing down to the ground, Duo's voice softened as he asked faintly, "Why didn't you tell me about the two of you?" Heero gasped softly with sad eyes as he shook his head. Without allowing the other boy a word, Duo's gaze remained on the floor as he questioned, "You still have such a hard time trusting me as at the least a friend?"
Again, Heero tried to say something when Duo turned his head to the side, unable to look at either pilot. "I'm sorry I came in unannounced," he advised. "I came over looking for you guys to let you know the others are waiting for you in the cafeteria... And I just remembered I better look after Deathscythe..." His voice came in but a whisper as he said in conclusion, "I'll let you to finish catching up."
Trowa grabbed his green shirt as the braided pilot quickly turned and left. Jumping from the bed, the tall pilot called after him, "Duo!" Without bothering to tuck his shirt in his jeans, the tall pilot ran after him. Heero's back sagged against the bedpost as his sad eyes never looked away from the door when he was left alone in his room.
In the hallway, Trowa ran to catch up to the retreating pilot as he shouted, "Wait a second, Duo!" When he was close enough, he took hold of one of the boy's wrists as he yelled, "It isn't what you think!"
Suddenly, Duo turned as he shouted, "I'm not an idiot!" Before Trowa could react, the American's free fist slammed into his right cheek in the same instant. As his head snapped to his side from the blow, the brunette would hear the ragged pants coming from Duo as he struggled to keep himself in check.
Bringing a hand to his bruised and stinging cheek, Trowa actually saw the anger brewing behind those narrowed amethysts. Calming his breath, Duo's voice was drenched in warning as he said quietly, "Heero... Heero had better not get hurt by you. I'll stand back and leave you to yourselves. But I won't stay quiet if you do anything to-"
Looking away, Trowa cut him off, "Like I said, it isn't what you think. I don't even know if I cared about him that way. The little that I do remember somehow revolves around him...." Taking a deep breath, he sighed quietly and admitted, "I thought that if I could... I thought that maybe I would be able to piece everything else that I've forgotten back together."
Duo's eyed widened in shock and rage. "You were going to use him," he whispered in a threatening edge. Taking a deep breath, he glared heatedly at his comrade as he yelled, "You were going to use him for you own selfish reasons!" Trowa's eyes widened. Until now, he never considered that to be what was happening.
Clenching his fists, Duo hissed as he squeezed his eyes closed. His voice rose as he hollered, "It's no wonder he has such a hard time getting past his training! All anyone wants to do is use him! Doctor J used him to accomplish what that old man couldn't! Relena uses him to find her own strength in reaching her ideals! And now you're using him! You're supposed to be his friend!"
Guilt in his realization filled Trowa's emerald eyes as he frowned and said quietly, "Duo..."
"Shut up!" Duo screamed. Opening his eyes, his gaze shot daggers at the tall pilot while he shouted, "I don't want to hear any of your excuses or apologies! I'm not the one you should be giving them to!"
As he listed to his friend yelling down the hall, Heero reached down to the floor to retrieve the small ceramic remains of the gift Duo gave him. Sitting on the edge of his bed wearing only his long tank top, the Wing pilot gently ran a finger along the edges of the tiny cottage. As he gazed on the trinket with saddened eyes, he recalled Duo's gentle voice explain to him, "It's not a real home, but I thought it was better than nothing."
Releasing a shuddery breath, Heero closed his eyes as he recalled the braided pilot as he appeared in his visions. Smiling warmly, the American whispered from their earlier discussion, "Heero... One day, you'll see that you're worth more than you realize. Your emotions are blocked off, but I know they're there. You act as though you don't care about anything when I know that deep down you care about more than even you're aware..."
Closing his eyes, Heero brought the small house to rest against his cheek. Gently placing a soft kiss to the cool porcelain, he heard Duo's soft voice conclude, "You don't think you have a soul, but I know you do."
The way he said those words, Heero almost believed them, himself.
TBC...
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