Life... Really Part 3
"He should have been back by now," Noin frowned as she noticed that it was after five o'clock. "I'll have the ham ready in less than thirty minutes once I put it in the oven."
Zechs peered out the window to watch the downpour for a moment. Finally, he made his way from the back patio and stated, "He said he would call before he left if it started raining. I'm going to call Quatre's to see if he left yet, he might have been caught in this downpour." Noin was quickly on his heels.
"Welcome home, Heero," the mechanic voice in the entrance greeted as the front door opened in recognition of the boy's identity.
Drenched from head to toe as the rain continued to pour outside when he ran in the house, Heero yelled, "Noin! Zechs!" It wasn't a heartbeat before the two ran into the living room, concern on both of their faces.
Before they had a chance to ask any questions, Heero removed his hand that was inside his light coat, revealing the small kitten that he had recovered from the street. Noin's eyes widened as she gasped, "Oh, the poor thing."
Removing the dish towel that was draped over her shoulder, Noin made a hammock out of it between her hands as she said, "Let me see." Carefully, Heero laid the soaked, unconscious animal onto the towel. Noin gently wrapped the ends of the towel over the kitten and ran towards the kitchen.
Zechs looked over at the sopping teenager and frowned, "You better get into some dry clothes before you catch a cold. We'll talk when you come back downstairs."
As much as he wanted to check on the tiny feline, Heero knew better than to argue with him. With a firm nod, he hurried upstairs. Once he was in his room, he shed his jacket followed by his shoes, socks, t-shirt and jeans. Quickly toweling himself off, he threw on a pair a gray sweat pants, a dry pair of socks and a plain red shirt before running back downstairs.
When he reached the kitchen, he found Noin watching after the kitten, gently rubbing it down with the towel in an attempt to warm and dry it quickly as possible. Zechs watched from not far off before he looked up when Heero entered to see if he was dried off.
Not giving them the opportunity to ask, he explained, "I was already about a block away when it started raining. Otherwise, I would have called for a ride back." Zechs's face relaxed, satisfied with that.
Gesturing to the small ball of fur on the counter, the boy continued, "I found it in the middle of the street like that. It must have been hit by a car or something. I couldn't just leave it there."
Noin chuckled and looked up from her patient and corrected, "Well, this 'it' is definitely a he." Looking down on the sleeping animal, she frowned deeply, "I don't know of any veterinarians around here who could look after him to see if there are any injuries I haven't picked out. Everything seems in place here, as far as I can tell."
Running a hand through his bangs, Zechs commented, "No one around this area for miles owns a conventional animal for a pet, so there is no need for a veterinarian." Looking at the injured creature, he thought aloud, "But I think that I can contact one tonight."
Without another word, he went to the video phone and opened it. Turning the link on, he said, "Information." When he was linked to information, he explained his needs to speak with a vet and where he was located.
Via video phone, Noin and Zechs spoke and worked with a veterinarian several cities away who kept their assistance line open late at night. They were then able to show the kitten's condition on the screen along with following the kind man's instructions on how to find if there was anything serious that would require immediate attention.
Heero waited in anticipation on the other side of the living room as he watched and listened. Finally, the kind man who had been examining the kitten with Zechs and Noin's help deemed that as long as he made it through the night, he would come out healthy. Even if the kitten was brought in to be looked at, any fatal injury would take him before he could be cared for. Somehow, Heero was certain that the little creature would make it through.
"That kitten's very lucky that he was found when he was," the man said. "Had he been left in the cold and rain unconscious like that, his little systems would not have been able to handle those conditions along with the trauma that he went through. Just keep him warm tonight and he should wake up a bit dazed, but well. If he has any problems moving about, give me a call."
With their thanks and a transfer of funds for his work and the medicines that would arrive first thing in the morning, Noin and Zechs ended the call. Sighing deeply, the young woman caressed the kitted through the fresh, blue towel in her lap. It's tiny head was all that peeked out from under the fabric.
"This little one shocked even the vet, having come out of his accident without anything more than scrapes and bruises." She smiled as the kitten stirred slightly in his sleep. "I wonder how he ended up out here?"
Heero sat up in the chair he sat in as he informed, "I found him on our front porch early this morning. He ran off before I could get too close." He moved to kneel before Noin, smiling slightly as he watched the small, mysterious creature. "You should see his eyes when he wakes up," his voice almost took a wistful tone. "They're the most amazing violet I ever saw."
"Violet?" Zechs asked, raising an eyebrow. "Are you sure that it wasn't just a strange reflection of light? I have never heard of a cat having violet eyes before."
Shrugging, Heero replied, "They looked perfectly violet to me. I guess we'll see when he wakes up." He bit his bottom lip, already knowing that Noin and Zechs were planning on taking the kitten to an animal shelter out of town without their even needing to say it. Taking a chance, he looked up to them and asked, "What should I name him?"
As he expected, they both straightened and Zechs shook his head, "Oh no, Heero. You know that your mother would never allow an animal in this house. She would have our hides if she came back from her trip to find that we took him in without discussing the matter with her first."
Rising to his feet, Heero reassured them, "Let me talk to my mother tomorrow. She won't be angry with either of you." Surprised at how much he was hoping to keep the kitten, he finished with a quiet, "Please."
Both Zechs and Noin looked to each other for a moment. Unable to read their expressions, Heero waited quietly as he could only assume that they were having a private conversation with their eyes. Finally, Zechs looked up at him and sighed, "All right. Talk to your mother later tonight. She'll be expecting a call from you later at any rate."
Noin smiled up at the teenager and winked with a knowing smile. Somehow, Heero knew that he had her to thank for Zechs's agreeing to even that much of it. He smiled at them both and replied sincerely, "Thank you."
As she stood, Noin carefully handed the little bundle over to the boy as she said, "Just to be sure, you should wait until your mother agrees to keeping this little guy before naming him. That'll give you time to think of something appropriate for him."
With a nod of agreement, Heero accepted the small kitten in his arms. He smiled down at him, already thinking of what he was going to say to his mother when he called her the next day. "I'll keep him in my room tonight. That way, I can keep an eye on him if his condition changes."
Zechs stood and agreed, "Very well." He looked up at the clock to see that it was already almost seven o'clock. Dinner was going to be late in the Yuy household for the first time in years.
Even Noin showed her surprise when she noticed the time. "Well," she shrugged. "Since it's too late to finish preparing what I was cooking, why don't we order out for a change?" Looking to Heero and Zechs, she asked, "Pizza all right?"
Unable to recall the last time that they had ever ordered out, Heero smiled at the prospect of something different. He nodded, "That sounds good to me." Zechs gave his own affirmative to the suggestion.
The three ate together in the dining room not long later, laughing at how the delivery man had passed the house twice in not ever having to deliver there before. For such a simple, unplanned dinner, it was one of the most pleasant meals they had in quite some time.
* * * * * *
Not long after dinner was finished, Zechs was helping Noin set the few dishes left over into the dishwasher. "You've known Danielle longer than I have. Do you think that Heero' will ever get his mother to agree to letting him keep the little one?" the young woman asked.
Sighing deeply, the tall chauffer replied, "It's going to be a difficult sell for him to make." Looking up to the ceiling above, where Heero's room was, he chuckled deeply, "But, I've always known Heero to be the kind of person who could sell ice to an Eskimo."
* * * * * *
Meanwhile, in the bedroom over their heads...
"Absolutely not!" Danielle Yuy shrieked over the video phone. "I do not want a cat running about the house! You know how busy we both are! How would we ever have the time to care for one?"
Recovering from his wince at the piercing shouting, Heero frowned at the quick refusal. Not allowing himself to be deterred so quickly, he replied, "Actually, I've researched on cat behavior just now and they're quite self-reliant. As long as we keep food out for him and a self-cleaning litter box, he'll more or less take care of himself."
His red-haired mother sighed deeply, "Heero, I had offered on many occasions to get you one of those robotic pets, but you always declined. We could always pick one out for you when I return home."
Lowering his head slightly, Heero shrugged, "I know I did. I've seen the pets that Trowa, Quatre and Wufei have. It's just that there is almost something... missing from it all."
Danielle nodded, "Like the responsibility and all the problems that come with owning an actual animal as a pet." Quickly, she added, "Besides, owning an animal for a pet suggests that you're not well off in society."
"Mother!" Heero shouted, his eyes widened in disbelief that the words actually came from her. As much as he wanted to argue, he knew that she was right. Owning such an animal was for families in the rundown areas, miles away from where they lived. Still, it did not sit so well with him to actually hear his mother suggesting that they were better than other people.
With a raised eyebrow, his mom retorted, "You know the truth in that, son. If we are to have the respect that we have worked for, we must follow the conventions of our privileged lives." She leaned forward, asking quietly, "What will our neighbors, not to mention my colleagues, think if they came to find that we owned a cat?"
Taking a deep breath and sagging his shoulders, Heero frowned, "You're right, mother. I'm sorry." He reached up and made circles on the edge of his desk.
Finally, he decided to play the one card that he had been hoping he would never have to use. Knowing it would only work once, he resolved to make it work just this one time. Regardless of how much he did not like the thought of using what was up his sleeve, he knew that there would be no swaying his mother otherwise.
When he looked back up, he spoke quietly, "It's just that I've never wanted anything enough to be compelled enough to ask for it before." At that, he could see that his arrow pierced its target. The red-head's cobalt eyes widened, saddening at the same time.
Danielle sat back, folding her hands before her as she lost herself in thought. From the time that Heero started to talk, up to his now fifteenth year of life, she knew all too well that her son never asked for anything before. Now, the one time that he truly wanted something, she was rejecting him without giving him a real say in the matter.
Heero never gave her any grief, never did anything but follow her lead without question. Thinking back quickly on her son's life, Danielle realized how much she had taken, without giving anything back. While it was all for his own good, the knowledge of that did not make it easier to realize how she saw her own wishes more important than those he might have for himself.
Knowing fully well that this was a line Heero had been saving for the one time he really wanted something, Danielle Yuy smiled inwardly. She could allow him this one victory. As wise as her boy was, she was all too aware that he knew he could only use this against her once. Even if it was not something she was particularly thrilled with, she would give it to him.
After a long pause between them, the red-haired woman at last smiled warmly. Her voice filled with sincerity and almost amusement, she nodded to him, "All right, Heero. You can keep the kitten."
His cobalt eyes widening, Heero felt his jaw drop. He knew that his card was a good one, but he was still sure that his mother would never agree even with that. Realization filled him at her response and her smile that she must have been expecting it to come out at some time. At least now that it was out on the table, he wouldn't have to try to manipulate her with it again.
A bright smile lighting his face, Heero replied, "Thank you, mom. I promise that I'll take full responsibility for him."
Chuckling deeply, his mother grinned, "I don't have any doubt in that, Heero. Otherwise, this would have been completely out of the question."
Heero sat back in his leather seat folding his arms as he thought aloud, "Now that he'll be staying, I have to think of a name for him."
Danielle laughed, "Well, seeing how you've given him a second chance, it should have something to reflect that." Tilting her head to the side, she commented, "Well, since we have a new guest, at least you're making him feel at home will give you something to do for the next couple of days before I am able to come up with some work for you."
Brightening again, Heero nodded, "I thought about that, too. I was nearly going mad thinking of what I was going to do with so much free time. I can't remember the last time I had a couple days for myself."
"All part of the joys of the lives we lead," his mother replied. She yawned, covering her mouth. "Well, I should be getting to bed. My team and I need to wake up early to look into these reports again."
Heero straightened in his seat as he said, "Have a good night, then." He smiled warmly and finished quietly, "Thank you, mom."
With a wink, Danielle smiled back, "Of course, son. I'll get back in touch with you in a couple days." At that, the call ended.
Sighing deeply in relief, Heero all but fell back in his chair. Staring at the blank vid screen, he was still reeling from disbelief that he was able to convince his mother to allow him to keep the kitten.
Suddenly, the video phone rang again. Quatre's image appeared on the screen when Heero clicked the 'Accept' button. With concerned-filled eyes, the Arab began, "Heero, I tried to call earlier but your line was busy. I knew that you must have been caught in that rain when you left my house, so I wanted to make sure you got home all right."
Realizing that his friend must have been trying to call during the conversation with the veterinarian, Heero smirked reassuringly, "Don't worry, Quatre. A little rain never hurt anyone before."
The blonde blushed slightly and smiled, "Well, it was a pretty nasty storm. Anyway, I'm glad to see that you're all right."
"Hey, if you and the others aren't busy tomorrow night, you should stop by here for dinner," Heero said suddenly. "There's something that I want to show you."
Quatre tilted his head and asked, "Oh yea?" He smiled, "I'll call the others in the morning, before their appointments. I'm sure that we could arrange a meeting at your house tomorrow."
Smiling in anticipation of revealing his new pet to his friends, the Japanese student replied, "All right. I'm sure that Noin and Zechs would enjoy the company for dinner. It's been pretty quiet here, what with my mom being away."
His smile growing, the Arabian questioned, "Would you mind asking Noin to make her famous lasagna? That's a favorite for all of us."
"I'm sure that can be arranged," Heero answered with a slight chuckle.
At that, Quatre grinned, "Well then, we'll see you tomorrow night." They ended their call with polite 'good nights.'
All but running down the stairs, Heero found Noin and Zechs watching television in the living room. In her lap, Noin held the tiny kitten protectively. Looking up in anticipation from where they sat on the couch when they heard him approach, the young woman asked, "So what did she say?"
Heero smiled, "My mom said that I can keep him." At the shock on their faces, he couldn't help laughing. He wished that he had a camera at that moment.
Zechs smirked as he looked over at the sleeping kitten in Noin's lap. "Well, well," he said at last. "So we have a new addition to the family." He gently stroked the top of the animal's head.
Recovering from her shock, Noin beamed, "Well, now that's going to be staying, you can give him a name."
Sitting on the other side of her, Heero relied, "Well, my mother said that it should somehow reflect the fact that he was given a second chance." He shrugged, "I've never had to pet to give it a name, so I don't imagine I would be any good at it."
There was a brief pause of silence as they all considered options for a possible name when Noin shrugged, "Well, you could always just call him Two, since Heero also translates to the number one in Japanese."
Wincing slightly, Zechs shook his head, "I don't know that Two would suit a cat very well." Rubbing his shin, he asked, 'What about Duo? It's basically the same concept, but I think it'll work better."
At the sound of that name, both Heero and Noin smiled. "I think Duo will work for him," the teenager replied with a nod. The young woman nodded her own agreement as she handed the kitten over to the boy.
"Tomorrow, we should go out and pick up some things for him," Zechs suggested as he folded his arms casually. "I know a few cities a good distance away that have pet store where we can get some items."
Turning to him, Noin commented, "It's been some time since I had the chance to get out of this city. It'll be nice to explore for a little while."
"And I'll finally have something to do for the next few days while getting Duo settled in," Heero added, testing out the name of his kitten. He smiled down to the furry little creature in his lap. He had to agree that he did like the name 'Duo' for his new pet.
Straightening, the Japanese teenager looked over to the others and told them, "I hope you don't mind, but I invited Quatre, Trowa and Wufei to dinner tomorrow. I was hoping to introduce them to the kitten."
Noin and Zechs smiled warmly as the tall man nodded, "That's fine, Heero. Your friends are always welcome over. Besides, I wouldn't mind seeing their faces when they see Duo for the first time."
The young woman beside him chuckled, "I couldn't agree more. Besides, now I have an excuse to make my lasagna again, since I know how much they all like it." Heero laughed, explaining that it was the first thing Quatre asked for, when he heard of the invitation.
Staying up for only a little while longer, the trio decided to retire for their night with their plans for the next day set. Gently, Heero carried Duo upstairs with him.
* * * * * *
Yawning widely, Heero fought to keep his eyes open as he lied in his bed. He was lying on his side, facing the kitted that he kept wrapped in the warm blue towel that Noin had found for him. Gently, he began to rub the back of the tiny feline through the material. The light from the moon pouring into his room was more than enough for him to watch the animal perfectly.
He had waited late into the night for the furry creature to wake. Other than a few small mews that came out more as squeaks, there was no sign of life from him. The small rising and falling of his chest pushed the towel up and down over him as he continued to sleep deeply.
For the first time in his life, Heero could really say that he owned something that was really his own. Everything else that he had, his parents had earned to keep. His own life was not his own in so many ways, but the property of his parents from the time that he was born.
With a small smile, Heero said quietly, "Sleep well, Duo." Finally, unable to keep his eyes open any longer, Heero let himself drift off to sleep.
* * * * * *
The next morning, Heero awoke at six o'clock in the morning, like every morning from as far back as he could remember. Rubbing his closed eyes, he sighed quietly, already feeling the effects of the little sleep he allowed himself the night before. Sitting up, he stretched and yawned loudly.
Suddenly, his cobalt eyes snapped open when the previous night's events returned to him. He quickly looked to the blue towel beside him. It was empty all for a small imprint left from where the kitten had been sleeping.
Scanning the room for any signs of his newfound pet, Heero's eyes finally fell on the tiny kitten beneath the large window to his right. The long tassels of the line, that would be pulled to draw the curtains opened, was swinging just a few inches above the floor.
Sitting up on his back paws, the brown kitten was playing with the tassels, batting at it with his front paws in an attempt to catch it as it always swung by, always just beyond his reach. In the sunlight peeking from beneath the curtains, Duo's fur shimmered with its red and gold highlights mixed in with the brown.
Heero had to fight the chuckle that wanted to break free, not wanting to startle the kitten. He just enjoyed watching the vibrant animal playing, making his own fun in a space that was unfamiliar to him. The game continued as the kitten mewed in surprise when the tassel swung back, quicker than he was ready to intercept it, hitting him gently in the face. Shaking his head for a moment, Duo regained his balance as he went for the swinging 'toy' again.
After a moment of watching a bit longer, Heero said quietly, "Hey." Falling onto his front paws, the small creature looked up at him, eyes wide with surprise. Again, Heero was taken aback seeing shade and intensity of those violet eyes. He never forgot those eyes form the first time he saw them just the morning before.
For a time, the kitten remained frozen, as if frightened and unsure of what to do. Heero sat up on the bed and gently tapped his fingers on space of the mattress beside him. Then, very slowly and with cautious movements, the kitten approached the bed, its tail flicking behind him. Looking up at the bed as he sat back just beside it, the furry creature's bottom wiggled the slightest bit before he leapt up, landing with grace and ease onto the spot beside the boy.
Heero reached forward slowly, noting the slight duck from the kitten as his fingers came close. Gently, he stroked the top of the furry head. The hesitation from the animal vanished almost instantly as he leaned into the touch, nudging the boy's hand with his nose for more. His violet eyes closed at the gentle patting, a deep purr of content rising from his tiny throat. Heero smiled warmly as the kitten moved forward, climbing up his bare chest as high as he could, sniffing up at the boy in curiosity.
"Welcome home," Heero told Duo quietly, a bright grin on his face. As he held his palm out to the kitten, the little one wrapped his front furry paws around his hand, gently licking his fingers with his tiny tongue.
In that moment, Heero suddenly realized how quickly his life of routines was going to change. Caring for such a small animal was going to come with its unpredictable, unstructured moments. Life as he knew it was not going to be the same again.
And he was not frightened by it in the least.
TBC...
Back to SkyLark's Fanfictions Page