Gundam Wing: The First Chapter Part 7
"I- I'm sorry," was all that she could manage in a small whisper.
"Hn," came the simple reply. The sound of clicking keys from the laptop echoed off the metal walls of the deserted hanger.
Biting her lip, the first of the two young women nervously pulled down on her backwards baseball cap. The other had her back to her as she continued to sit and work at her computer into the early hours. Taking a deep breath, first girl fidgeted with the end of her long, blue hair as she offered gently, "Kumi, if you want to talk about this-"
Instantly, her words stopped when the steady clicking came to a sudden halt. Slowly, the other girl turned to meet the tomboy's gaze with stern, cobalt eyes. Her long, silver hair glowed softly in the light from the screen as she replied in a flat tone, "There is nothing to talk about." Having said this, she snapped her head back to the laptop and returned to her work.
Sighing deeply, the blue-haired girl shook her head, "Look, I know that as Gundam pilots, our lives don't come before our mission to stop OZ." She hesitated with a shaky breath before continuing, "But you can't tell me that you didn't have any reaction to what just happened." Narrowing and clenching her fists in rage and fear, she all but shouted in frustration, "My God, Kumi, you just watched your cousin blow himself away!" Her voice echoed through the hanger in an eerie ring.
The silver-haired pilot never looked back to the tomboy, but her hands slowly fell to her sides as she continued to gaze at her screen. There was a long silence as neither girl moved. Finally, Kumi's flat voice said quietly, but sternly, "Sette... Heero did as he was ordered. What were your orders when you became a Gundam pilot?"
Sette's blue eyes blinked in shock at first, then relaxed along with her body as she replied with the litany, "We are better off dead than living under OZ's rule. Don't worry about the Colonies. Destroy them first. That is your mission." There was another long silence between them. With a soft sigh, the tomboy whispered, "I understand... But... that doesn't mean I have to like it."
Her only response came from the slicking of the keys as Kumi's hands returned to the keyboard. Turning away, Sette frowned and gazed at her friend over her shoulder as she said gently, "Even if what Heero did was simply carrying out orders, more than half way across the galaxy, that doesn't make dealing with it any easier... No training can change that." Kumi never turned back or paused in her typing, ignoring the other's presence. Stuffing her fists into her jean pockets, Sette frowned sadly and walked off into the darkness of the hanger.
The clicking of the keypad slowed to a stop as the tanned fingers fell on the panel limply. In the dim light from the screen, a single, large tear fell on the back of a hand.
* * * * * *
Lieutenant Noin walked across the deserted wasteland to the large crater embedded in the ground, the only evidence of the battle that had taken place just the night before. The Siberian sun was shining high overhead in the clear sky, the quiet footsteps from the young woman's black OZ uniform boots were the only sound aside from the steady breeze that tugged her white cape to her side. Walking towards the edge of the large gorge, her saddened purple eyes fell on the grave left behind after the remains of Zero One had been taking away.
Standing at the edge of the deep impression in the ground, the Lieutenant gazed down into the grave of the large Gundam and it's pilot. Images from the boy, no more than fifteen, detonating his Gundam as he stood within its cockpit ran through her mind as her purple eyes saddened. Shaking her head, she sighed deeply and whispered to herself, "Those young boys... To think that they would be so willing to sacrifice themselves without question..." She couldn't bring herself to continue to think about that as she turned her head from the crater and moved to return to her base.
The soft sound of music filled the air in a light, airy melody as the wind carried the notes towards her. Pausing in her steps, Noin's eyes widened slightly at the sound. Turning in the direction where it came from, she noticed something shimmering under the bright sun. Walking over carefully, she gasped quietly as her purple eyes fell on what looked to be a small, porcelain house, or what was left of it. The roof of the wooden home had been broken off, but the white, round base seemed to somehow be in perfect condition. The young woman's shocked eyes blinked once as they lost their wideness. Noin bit her lip slightly as she continued to listen to the beautiful and peaceful song.
* * * * * *
One month later...
Miles from where Wing fought its last, a small, wooden jewelry box was opened as a pair of hands placed a thin gold necklace inside. The soft melody made its way through the room as it remained open for some time. A closed pair of eyes began to stir just slightly without opening at the familiar song, bringing the unconscious young man from his deep slumber. It wasn't long before the haunting music ended as a pair of slender pale hands closed the jewelry box.
A red-haired young woman smiled to herself as she walked over to her chair before the television in the trailer that she and Trowa had been living in. Picking up the light green wool that she had been sewing together into a sweater, she went back to her work as the newswoman on the screen relayed the latest reports involving the war.
As the broadcast continued, Heero remained still in the bed where he lay on his back, bound in medical gauze over his bare chest down to his waist. All but the right side of his chest, shoulder and lower arm weren't in need of bandages following the explosion that, by all right, should have taken his life nearly a month prior to this particular day. A thin, blue sheet had been pulled just past his waist with his hands at either side of his slender form. Rays of sunlight fell on him in thin slits as they peeked through the drawn blinds of the window beside him. As the voice of the news broadcaster filled the small space, the Japanese boy's cobalt eyes began to open ever so slowly as a small grunt of pain escaped him.
Turning his head to his left very carefully, his gaze fell on the television across the room as the young woman continued to link the wool through the sewing needles. She continued her task without noticing that the guest behind her had finally woken up. Heero watched the woman on the screen as an image of OZ Leos appeared just behind her as she continued, "Since the Alliance has a presence in every nation, the total number of casualties is expected to rise."
Just then, Heero's eyes fell on the back of the girl sitting before him as he whispered, "Huh...?" Sitting up slightly, he propped himself on his elbow. His vision was slightly as he watched a familiar face turned to meet his gaze. His voice was soft and threaded in disbelief as he asked, "Relena?"
No sooner had he said the name than the form watching him shifted into one that he had never seen before. The short curls of the young redhead before him shined in the dim light as she smiled warmly and said soothingly, "Hey, you've woken up. Wait a minute and I'll go get Trowa."
Heero replied quietly in confusion, "Trowa?" He tried sitting up more but a paralyzing ache coursed through his body as he gasped and groaned deeply in pain, wincing at the surge of pain running its course.
Sitting up with a worried expression, the young girl extended her hands towards him as she gasped and warned gently, "You should take it easy." Turning to the open door of the trailer now behind her, she smiled and called, "Trowa, your friend has woken up."
At this, a tall young man entered the trailer and stepped into the room. Dressed in a dark green, long-sleeved shirt tucked into a pair of light blue jeans, the green-eyed boy couldn't have been much more than Heero's age as his brown hair fell forward in a long bang that covered half of his face. The light from the door fell on him as he stared evenly at the Japanese pilot. There was a long silence as the young men watched each other, neither giving any sign as to their thoughts as they both remained expressionless.
Breaking the silence as she turned to Heero, the redhead smiled and folded her hands together as she offered, "Aw, you must be hungry. I'll go make some soup." Having said this, she rose from her chair and walked past the other boy as he continued to stare at the cobalt-eyed pilot.
Almost a half-hour later, Trowa had informed Heero of their current location and what had been taking place during the month that he was unconscious after the self-detonation of his Gundam. It was still amazing to Heero that he had managed to survive the explosion. Still, survival had its price, as he could not make any large movements without a pain like none other taking over his entire body.
It didn't come as much of a surprise to the Japanese boy that the other Gundam pilots had stayed from any kind of watching eye without any missions having been sent out since that last fight. As far as OZ was concerned, the war was far from over. In the back of his mind, Heero knew that there would come a time when they would pick up where they had left off. Until then, there were some ghosts that were still with him since the New Edwards base attack. Only after he did away with them would he be any good to return to the fight. With all of the uncertainty surrounding him, this was the only thing where Heero had no doubt.
When the young woman reentered, carrying a tray with a large bowl of steaming soup, the room was as silent as it had been when she had left as there was nothing more to be discussed between the two boys. The redhead smiled sweetly at Heero, "Here we go."
Trowa smirked as she walked towards the other pilot, "Heero, this is Catherine. She can be a bit overprotective but she's a good person."
Catherine turned to him with a smirk as she replied, "Someone has to look after you and your friends. I don't know what you're all involved in and after seeing what happened to Heero, I would like to keep it that way." Standing before the table beside Heero's bed, she gently pushed aside her jewelry box with a free hand as she balanced the tray with the other.
Following her movements, Heero's cobalt eyes followed the jewelry box, as it was set on the edge of the table closest to him. 'That must be where the song came from,' he thought to himself. Somehow, the song that had been playing was the same that came from the ceramic home Duo had given him. The sound of that melody was what had brought him back. Before he was caught staring at the box, he turned his gaze to Catherine as she smiled and sat on the mattress beside him.
Holding up a spoonful of vegetable soup before him, she said, "I hope that you like it. This is one of my own recipes." Heero watched her with indifferent eyes and he never moved. Catherine blinked in confusion as she asked, "You're not hungry?"
Chuckling, Trowa smiled as he shook his head. She turned her head in his direction as he crossed his arms and closed his eyes, smirking, "I'm sure that he's capable of feeding himself, Catherine."
Looking down at the spoon, Catherine's light eyes widened as she realized what she was doing. Gasping, she blushed brightly and smiled nervously at Heero, "Oh, I'm sorry. I guess it's just my mothering side getting the best of me again." Quickly, she set the spoon back in the bowl as she returned to her feet. Carefully, she set the tray over Heero's waist so it rested on his legs. Winking, Catherine said, "If you need anymore, just give me a call."
Wrapping his fingers carefully around the spoon, Heero lowered his head slightly as he said quietly, "Arigato." At that sentiment, Catherine's bright smile returned as she gave a nod and turned to leave the room.
As she passed him, Trowa turned his head over his shoulder and watched her as he smiled sincerely, "Thank you for your help, Catherine." She turned back to meet his gaze and winked as she stepped out of the trailer.
Slowly, Heero lifted a spoonful of soup to his mouth, doing his best not to show the strain that even that was causing him. Sliding the spoon from his mouth, he chewed on the vegetables slowly, closing his eyes in the effort that it took not to scream out in pain. Trowa's green eyes began to fill with concern as he could see how badly the other pilot was trying to hide his strain.
Quietly, Trowa offered, "You shouldn't force yourself so much if it's too painful to even eat that much." Before he could say anything further, Heero's eyes squeezed tighter as he bit mach a sharp cry of pain.
The tray crashed to the floor as Heero doubled over, his right hand shooting up to cover his mouth as he tried to hold back the coughs that shook his frame. Unable to keep them back any longer, the Wing pilot lowered his hand and coughed violently, spilling the contents in his mouth onto the sheet. Trowa was beside the bed in an instant, carefully supporting the Japanese boy as he continued to hack and shudder from the violence of the agony that seized his entire body. Holding onto Heero's left arm and placing his other hand on his back, Trowa watched silently with a thoughtful frown.
Finally, Heero managed to catch his breath though his eyes remained closed as he sat up tenderly. With the back of his right hand, he dried his wet mouth and chin, turning his head slightly from Trowa as the tall pilot gently rubbed his back soothingly. As he panted softly, the Wing pilot felt the sheet over him being removed. Opening his eyes, he watched as the other boy rolled the soiled sheet into a ball.
Closing his eyes, Trowa frowned, "I didn't realize just how much pain you're in. We'll have to keep you on liquids until you're stronger." At this, he turned and made his way to the other room in search of a clean sheet.
Heero gazed at the tall pilot as he continued to pant softly. His cobalt eyes narrowed slightly as he said in a strained voice, "Y- you should have left me back there."
Pausing in his steps, Trowa turned his head back and met the other boy's gaze as he corrected, "You would have left me behind if I was in your place. That is one of the differences between the two of us." Blinking once, the Wing pilot contemplated this statement and watched silently as the tall pilot walked from the room.
Not another word was spoken for the remainder of the day.
* * * * * *
Night had fallen over the large, white estate where Quatre and Duo had taken refuge after their narrow escape from the desert following their meeting weeks ago. Surrounded by miles upon miles of foliage, the two Gundam pilots lived without fear of ever being discovered. It was what they needed to think about their next move... if there would be one at this rate.
Sitting on the second floor, white marble balcony, Duo crossed his legs over the flat of the railing as the back of his shoulders leaned against the pillar behind him. Dressed in gray sweatpants and a loose, violet tank top that matched his eyes, he gazed out into the woods with his arms falling loosely to his sides. His usual smile was nowhere to be found and the light that was normally in his eyes had been extinguished as a gentle breeze ruffled his long bangs in his eyes. The crickets chirping in the distance filled the night air, as all was peaceful and serene.
Lost to the world, the braided pilot almost missed the soft click of the glass patio doors opposite of him. Turning his head back, he watched as Quatre stepped onto the deck quietly, concern in his eyes and a saddened frown on his face. "I thought you would be in bed by now," the blonde pilot said gently. Closing the door behind him, he walked towards the American as he asked, "What are you doing out here?"
Duo turned his head away as he gazed out into the woods again as he replied simply, "I couldn't sleep. I have too many thoughts running through my head right now." Quatre's frown saddened even more as he sighed quietly to himself. Duo had been this way since they had arrived at the estate. The normally jovial boy had become detached and rarely ever smiled. Not long after their first meeting, the Arabian understood the reason behind all of it.
"Duo?" the blonde pilot began, hesitating slightly before asking gently, "I know that your friend meant a lot to you. The night that he-" He stopped at the instant sight of the other boy stiffening at the memory of that fateful night. Stepping a bit closer, Quatre continued, "I felt the terrible pain that he suffered."
Duo's hands clenched into fists as his eyes closed tightly as his pained voice pleaded quietly, "Quatre, please don't..."
Taking a deep breath, the Arabian shook his head, "Along with the pain that Heero went through, I also felt the loss and grief that you felt as you watched." The American's fists relaxed and his eyes opened slowly, filled with pain and sorrow. After a brief pause, Quatre asked in a small, concerned whisper, "Didn't you tell him how you felt about him?"
Lifting his head slightly, Duo cast his violet eyes on the stars in the heavens above as he took a deep, shaky breath. He whispered sadly, "It's not like it would have done any good. Heero never let on to any of his own feelings, though he made it painfully obvious that I wasn't needed or wanted."
"But you still loved him?" the blonde pilot inquired. Slowly, Duo turned his head back to his friend and gave a small smile, his first in a long time.
Nodding once, Duo answered, "How couldn't I? My heart went out to him the first time that we met. I never doubted that he was a human being, just like any one of us. The stunts that he would pull and the way that he never made me think any differently." Taking a deep breath, his smile faded slightly as he concluded, "Even if he's not with me any longer, I still have my thoughts and memories of him to keep me company." Biting his lip, he paused before admitting sadly, "I can't help but feel like I'm letting him down by just hiding here while OZ has their way."
Quatre gave a slight smile as he assured him, "We both know this is temporary. Until we can plan our next move. Wherever Heero is, I doubt that he feels like you're letting him down."
Duo frowned and his eyes closed as his body sagged in defeat as he sighed deeply. "I see him in my dreams every night, Quatre. I don't know why, but it's like something is telling me Heero's still alive."
The Arabian's smile became a sad frown as he replied gently, "Duo..."
Opening his eyes and gazing up at the heavens again, the braided pilot said, "I know that it's crazy to feel that way, but I do. Even after that night, I can't help but think that he survived somehow." Lowering his head and staring forward, Duo smirked, "Then again, it could just be my hoping that he'll show up out of nowhere and call me a baka the way he normally would." He snorted softly, "It's funny how someone could miss that when it's gone."
Leaning his back against the other side of the pillar, Quatre lowered his head and closed his eyes as he sighed softly, "Hope is all that we have anymore, my friend. And I sincerely hope that you and Heero are united again...even if it is only in your dreams."
* * * * * *
Over a week had passed since Heero had awakened in the trailer that Trowa and Catherine shared. Turning his head to the side facing the table beside the bed, the Wing pilot gazed at the small, wooden jewelry box lying there. It was just on the table's edge and within his reach. Slowly, he lifted his bandaged left arm and carefully reached for the box. Setting his hand over the wooden lid, Heero gently lifted it. As soon as the lid was cracked, the lovely and familiar song began to play once again.
In his efforts to open the box further, the Japanese boy accidentally knocked it from the table as it fell to the floor with a dull thud and the lid closed again. Gasping softly to himself, Heero sat up gingerly and reached down to retrieve it. Just as his hand was about to reach the jewelry box, a pale and slender hand got there before his own. His lips parted slightly as his cobalt eyes looked up to meet Catherine's smiling face.
The redhead lifted the jewelry box and held it out to Heero as she said in a friendly voice, "Here you go." The Wing pilot blinked once in uncertainty before accepting the box with both hands. Catherine sat on the edge of the bed as she watched him and smiled, "You like it? It was a gift from our ringmaster for my last birthday."
Heero nodded once as he looked down at the box in his possession. The young woman continued, "The song is one of my favorites. Its called 'A New Day Has Come.'" She rose from the bed and began to make her way from the room as she winked, "Feel free to use it if you ever need it to relax. It always helped me."
"No. I don't want it," the Japanese pilot said suddenly. Catherine turned back with a confused look as she blinked. Before she could ask, Heero explained, "The song, it... reminds me of someone. It helped wake me and I thought it might help with the pain but..." His voice trailed and the young woman watched him with slightly widened eyes, trying to hide her shock that the normally quiet boy was sharing so much. Finally, Heero was said quietly as he held the box out to her, "It actually hurts more."
With a sympathetic nod, Catherine gently accepted the jewelry box again as she whispered, "Whoever they are, I hope you find them." Heero turned his head from her and lowered his head as he gave a slight nod of appreciation. Bending at her waist, Catherine placed a gentle kiss on his head for support. Turning to the table, she placed the box down before quietly stepping from the room.
Heero sighed deeply to himself once he was alone again. Slowly, he lowered himself onto his back again. Hesitantly, he gazed once more on the box before his eyes slid closed.
* * * * * *
As the sun set over where the traveling circus rested, golden rays shined through the open door where of the trailer and its windows. Trowa entered the trailer, holding his duffel bag over his right shoulder with one hand. Leaving the door open as he gazed at the bed where Heero lay across the room, the tall boy said, "I'll leave some food and the keys in the car. Stay here and concentrate on getting better."
Heero never moved to sit up as he met the other pilot's green eyes and asked, "What are you planning to do?"
"In my Colony, consensus was not reached to fight using the Gundams," Trowa began. Lowering the bag to the floor, he turned and rested his back against the wall, staring ahead as he continued, "The Gundam attack was started by a small percentage of the population who felt strongly about it. I was one of those people."
Blinking once and keeping his focus on the European boy, Heero replied, "There's nothing wrong with acting on your emotions. At least, that's what I was taught."
Trowa gazed off and stated, "I must not give OZ a reason to invade the Colonies. It would not be reasonable." Turning his head to meet Heero's gaze, he said, "So, I will do as you have done. I will simply follow my emotions."
* * * * * *
Two days later, Trowa and Catherine chewed on apples for their lunch as they leaned their backs against the trailer. Catherine smiled brightly, "Man, I can't wait to see what you have planned for tonight, Trowa. It's quite an honor, you know." The tall pilot took another bite from his apple as he turned his head to the redhead. Lowering the apple she had been snacking on, she sighed in content, "It's not often that someone in the staff gets a chance to introduce a new act for such a prestigious audience."
With a snort of disapproval, Trowa tossed his apple core away as he replied, "I don't see how anyone could consider any of them prestigious."
Snapping her head in his direction, she scorned quietly, "Trowa! You have to be careful with what you say around here! Are you hoping that one of the soldiers will hear you!?"
Trowa turned his head forward as he gazed out into nowhere and said in a less than pleasant tone, "Not like it would make any difference."
Catherine's eyes narrowed as she warned in a stern whisper, "Listen. I agree that OZ is more than out of line in this war. But you have to remember that in this line of work, we have to remain neutral. Causing trouble here won't do you any good and you know it." The tall boy turned his back to her with his eyes closed as he began to walk away. Straightening herself, Catherine shouted, "Trowa! Listen to me for once!"
He turned his head back over his shoulder and smirked, "You worry too much, Catherine. I'll give them a show they won't forget. Trust me on that." Having said that, he turned and walked off. Catherine watched him with a relieved smile, knowing that Trowa was never one to go back on his word.
* * * * * *
The spotlights inside of the large tent searched through the darkness of the large ring as the OZ soldiers gathered for the show that evening. The anticipation of this new and exciting act had been greatly anticipated not only by those in the audience, but also those of the circus troupe as all watching held their breaths. A loud drumroll heightened the excitement and soon, their waiting would be at an end.
The ringmaster's voice rang through the speakers as he announced, "Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to present our next act! Shown for the first time ever, please welcome our upcoming star, Trowa Barton!"
TBC...
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