Delicate white fluffs of clouds gently rolled across the artificial
sky of L1. A light breeze played teasingly with the blooming sakura trees
that littered the cemetery and nearby park. Bright, cheerful sunlight made
a silent promise to all children that today would be a day for happiness
and fun. All of the occupants of this peaceful colony were filled with
excitement that only the coming of summer could create, except one. One
man walked slowly down the trails that passed tombstone after tombstone,
taking no enjoyment from his surroundings. He dispised the people that had
so easily forgotten the pain and fear that had been so overwhelming during
the war. He could never forget. But it wasn't the war that kept his ice
incased heart heavy, it was the memories of his life before it. He hadn't
always been so cold, he hadn't always hidden every feeling he ever had
behind an emotionless mask…he hadn't always been alone…
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A young boy about five years old walked slowly through the deserted park. It was a weekday and most parents had jobs to do and left their children with babysitters or at school. But he didn't have parents, he didn't have anyone. He had been staying with Dr. J for almost four months now, training, fighting, learning. There was nothing he wasn't going to be taught, he had already accomplished the art of firearms, and the workings of high explosives. But what was most important was the orders they continually told him at almost ever waking moment "You are the perfect soldier, you cannot feel, you must never fail your mission." It seemed that was all the scientists had to say to him. And he could only take so much. They didn't care about him, only their "Perfect Soldier" that they kept talking about, and yet he had never seen this amazing man, only continuing to hear about his marvelous skills, they didn't care about him, not at all.
He would occasionally sneak out after his training, when the mad doctors would leave him alone in his room, and come down to the park to walk. He knew the park was a place where kids were to play and have fun, but he didn't know how to play anymore, it seemed like a long lost memory that he only knew bits and pieces about. There was a small voice in the back of his mind, telling him not to stay with Dr. J, telling him that if he did something bad would happen, but what else could he do? He didn't have any family, no one would care what happened to him. He was just an orphan who was alone in the world, and orphans weren't uncommon during this time of war. The blue eyed boy was never told exact information, but he did know that OZ was a group of evil people who were trying to take over the world. Definitely bad people. But he didn't know what he was suppose to do about it, he was only a little boy. How was he suppose to stand up against the entire army like the old man continued to claim he would?
A soft laugh brought the wandering boy to a halt. He looked around quickly, his reflexes kicking in as he jumped behind a tree. Looking around again the moss brown haired, assassin in training checked for any thing that could be a threat. Nothing. He about had a heart attack when he suddenly came face to face with a small girl about his age. Stumbling back against the trunk of his hiding place, he looked up to see her hanging from her knees by a branch no more than a foot above him. She had dark chestnut hair that was pulled back in a ponytail and held securely by a light pink ribbon, and deep emerald green eyes that glinted happily as she smiled excitedly at him. He didn't know what to do, why had she scared him like that?
"Hello," she stated happily, remaining in her upside down position. "My name's Robyn Kathleen Raye, what's yours?"
She seemed extremely proud of being able to remember her entire name, her bright eyes never leaving his persian blue ones. What was he supposed to say? Dr. J had told him that his first name that he had had no longer existed, but he didn't like the new one he had given. After thinking quickly, he decided that he wanted to tell her the truth, he wanted to be her friend for some reason.
"Odin Lowe." He said quietly, wondering what she was going to do.
Robyn flashed her smile before pulling herself up to a sitting position and jumping to the ground. She smoothed out her light pink dress then looked back at him, her curiosity burning like a bonfire.
"Hi Odin, wanna play with me? Why were you walking by yourself? Did you get scared when I laughed? I've never heard of anyone getting scared of a laugh."
Odin blinked a moment, trying to register everything she had just said. The young girl apparently had quite a lot of bundled up energy, but he didn't mind. There was something about her that made him want to smile, which was absolutely forbidden by the white haired man back at the base. Upon deciding that the he did not want to answer the other questions he responded to the first, though, somewhat nervously.
"I don't know how to play." Came his quiet voice, looking at his feet as he dug the toe of his sneaker into the dirt.
"That's okay! I'll teach you! Mrs. Moeruko at school says I'd make a really good teacher when I'm bigger." With that she took Odin's hand and drug him towards the jungle gym.
Little did he know that the green eyed girl would change his life forever.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
For the next six years Odin Lowe, or who now known as Heero Yuy to all except Robyn, would sneak out of training as much as possible to meet his best friend before and after school. They would spend all their time at the park, playing, talking, and just simply being there for one another. He never told her what exactly it was that he was training for, it would put her life in danger, but she did know that he was involved in something big, but she didn't care. Odin was her best friend and nothing else mattered. They were both twelve years old now and their world was still, for the most part, serene and peaceful. The blue eyed boy may have been being trained to be an emotionless killer, but Robyn kept the doctors from completely destroying all traces of his humanity. While she was around his pain would disappear, giving him the chance to be a normal kid. She was carefree, innocent, and had the biggest heart ever bestowed upon a person. But that would all soon changed…
Heero could still see her smile when he closed his eyes, he could never forget her ever. She had meant everything to him, the only reason he lived through that hell on earth that was his childhood was knowing that he could soon see her again and laugh freely. He would pour his heart out to her when he saw her and she would be sympathetic, and comfort him when he needed then did all she could to keep his mind off of it and get his spirits up. He knew she would do anything for him just as he would for her, that's what made them so close, but no one else knew of their friendship. They couldn't risk it. Over the years Heero had gotten more closed off to everything around him, but he held nothing back from his chestnut haired tenshi. Had it happened a few years later he probably could have saved her from her horrible fate, had he been able to read the signs that were showing up he could still have her with him, but he couldn't, not then. He still cursed himself at night while he was alone that he hadn't done anything to help save her. That terrible night was as fresh in his memory as if it had happened only moments ago. In that one moment he had felt rage, sorrow and fear like never before nor ever again.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
1 She walks to school with the lunch she packed
2 Nobody knows what she's holdin' back
Wearin' the same dress she wore yesterday
She hides the bruises with linen and lace
Odin sat silently on the roof of a nearby building, watching the smaller girl walk towards the school building. He felt the need to keep a close eyes on her so nothing could hurt her. Noticing her unconsciously rub her shoulder, the young assassin reminded himself to later ask about it. He hated any idea of her being hurt and wanted to know if she had been bullied by a kid at school. He could easily set the kisama straight, no one messed with his best friend.
3 Her friend wonders but he doesn't ask
It's hard to see the pain behind the mask
Bearing the burden of a secret storm
Sometimes she wishes she was never born
As the days went on Robyn still refused to admit something was wrong, but he could tell. He could tell by looking in her eyes that there was something she was keeping from him and it hurt him deeply. Did she not trust him? Was she beginning to not want to be friends him? But when he confronted her about his fears she about broke out crying with apologies. She claimed that it was only nightmares and that she would never leave him. Heero believed her, she would never lie to him.
And so, for two more years, they continued their secret friendship. He, however, knew that something was going on. She became more quiet and jumpy. He had playfully tackled her, both used to rough housing like two boys instead of a boy and a girl, but instead of the laughter and mocking threats he was expecting, she began to cry and beg at him not to hurt her. He hugged her tightly and told her he was sorry, never noticing the bruise that was showing slightly on her side.
4 Through the wind and the rain
She stands hard as a stone
In a world that she can't rise above
But her dreams give her wings
And she flies to a place where she's loved
Concrete Angel
By the time he turned fourteen, Heero had gotten an idea of what was going on, but he couldn't simply accuse it. Robyn might get hurt or angry and he didn't want her to be hurt. He knew she was strong willed and could get through get through almost anything, and he was determined to be there for her.
5 Somebody cries in the middle of the night
The neighbors hear, but they turn out the lights
A fragile soul caught in the hands of fate
When morning comes it'll be too late
Heero raced down the street. It was in the middle of the night and pouring down rain, but he couldn't stop. He knew Robyn was in danger, he didn't know how but he did, and he couldn't let anything happen to her. Lightning flashed across the sky, bringing shadows to dance along the pavement as if of demonic origin. His precise breathing came out in puffs as he pushed himself faster. Dark, moss brown, hair fell disarranged into his eyes but he did nothing to move them. Even though the young boy knew he was pushing his limits on speed, it seemed as if he wasn't making any progress. The three story, light blue house that his dearest friend called home seemed just as far away, if not more. He had to get there before it was too late.
Through the wind and the rain
She stands hard as a stone
In a world that she can't rise above
But her dreams give her wings
And she flies to a place where she's loved
Concrete Angel
As he neared her house he pulled out his gun, ready for anything. He was only a block away when he heard it. A cry that rang in his ears and broke his heart into a million pieces, leaving a sick feeling of nausea in the pit of his stomach. Finally reaching the house, the blue eyed pilot kicked the front door open.
The boy froze as he witnessed the scene before him. Robyn was laying, unmovingly, on the floor while her father stood over her. He was startled at the sudden appearance of Heero, but the brown haired pilot couldn't care less. Rage flowed freely through his veins as he held the gun evenly out infront of him and pulled the trigger, instantly killing the man who had done his tenshi so much pain. Without hesitation, he was at the green eyed girl's side. Dark black bruises tainted her pail skin as a bleeding cut was slashed across her cheek. The dark crimson liquid slid down the delicate skin, leaving in it's wake a trail that resembled that of tears…blood tears from a fallen angel. Looking for a pulse, Heero was thankful to find one, faint, but there none the less. Propping her up gently he was about to pick her up and get her to the nearest hospital when she suddenly coughed. Looking down on her angelic face, persian collided with fading emerald.
"D…Din-chan?" she managed to get out, tears blurring her vision.
"Shh, don't talk. You'll be okay. I'm going to get you to a hospital." He reassured, gently rubbing her hair delicately to soothe her.
"No" she said quietly, closing her eyes and weakly burying her face into his neck.
"What are you talking about, Robie!? We have to get you to a hospital! Why didn't you tell me this was happening!?" He asked, fear flashing across his features.
"I-I couldn't tell you, I didn't want you to get hurt. I knew if you found out you would come after dad and he would have hurt you. I d-don't want to go to the hospital, I don't want to die in a white room surrounded by strangers. Please just stay here with me."
Heero felt as if his world was crumbling, how could this happen!? Why did this have to happen to Robyn? She was innocent, she didn't deserve this.
"You're not going to die Robie-girl, I won't let you." He stated determinably, holding her closely, as if he could save her in that way.
She laughed weakly but they turned into hacking coughs, ones that covered her hands in blood. It was as if his insides were suddenly ice when he realized that one of her lungs had been punctured by a rib. He was going to lose her if he didn't do something.
"Kudasia, Din-chan. I want to stay here."
He never could refuse her anything, but it was killing him as well as her. He couldn't lose her, not now when he was soon going to have to go to war. He needed someone to go back to. Someone to live for. And if she wasn't here…he wouldn't have anyone. Brushing the chestnut silk that hung in her face away, he put his head gently by hers.
"I'll never leave you Robyn."
"I love you Din-chan, you are my best friend and I will never leave you either. I will watch over you I promise." She whispered, her voice getting weaker by the minute. "I want you to do something for me Odin."
"Anything." He stated instantly, not wanting her to be in any discomfort.
"Don't forget me, and don't forget yourself either. You have a good heart, go on living after I'm gone. I don't want you to throw your life away."
"I can't, Robyn. You're all I have, you're the only reason I get up in the morning. I can't live without you." He begged, feeling the tears the threatened to fall.
"Make new friends, I know you can do this. I want you to promise, Odin, you have to live…for me."
Heero managed a small nod. "Mission accepted."
"Odin?" She asked quietly.
"Hai, Robie-girl?"
"Could you give me my first kiss? I always dreamed of my first kiss coming from someone special. And you're more special to me than anything."
Heero didn't know what to say. His throat constricted as he tried to bite back the salty tears, not wanting to show the girl in his arms how afraid he was. She was so brave to be so clam while she knew she was dying, and he wanted to be brave for her.
Nodding again silently, he gently pressed his lips to hers, wanting nothing more than for him to die right there along side her, but knowing he couldn't break the one promise he made to her. He could taste the coppery liquid that was still on her lips, but it didn't matter, nothing mattered. All that he cared about was for her to be happy when she died, and he hoped this would make her so. The tears that no longer could be held back slid down his cheeks and onto hers. He could literally feel her life slipping away as her hand, which had been resting on his chest, gently fell to her side…she was gone.
Choking back a sob, the Perfect Soldier cradled the smaller form close to him, not being able to let go. Why did fate have to be so cruel? Why did it seem to hate him so much that it took everyone from him!?
"Aishiteru, Robyn. Now and forever." He whispered into her ear as the golden light of sunrise peaked over the horizon.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A statue stands in a shaded place
An angel girl with an upturned face
A name is written on a polished rock
A broken heart that the world forgot
Heero stopped infront of a monument underneath a particularly beautiful sakura tree. Soft light from above peeked between the leaves, leaving pail shadows to jump teasingly whenever the wind would blow. A full size statue of Robyn rested there, her waist length hair blowing slightly in the wind along with the simple angel gown which she adorned. Elegant wings folded behind her as she gazed lovingly up into the heavens, a peaceful smile gracing her features. Down below the marble copy, there was a plaque. He still remembered when he told the people what he wanted put on it.
"Robyn Kathleen Raye, devoted and loyal friend. Your love will shine on in our hearts."
Then below that, in small print that wouldn't make a passerby glance twice was Heero's own message to her.
"I promise."
Through the wind and the rain
She stands hard as a stone
In a world that she can't rise above
But her dreams give her wings
And she flies to a place where she's loved
Concrete Angel
Kneeling down infront of the grave, the blue eyed pilot laid a single, white rose at the angel's feet, the delicate petals momentarily brushing against his skin. He had kept his promise to her. The war was now over and he was moving on in his life. He had opened up to the others and allowed himself to make friends, Duo and Rei especially. The black haired girl reminded him so much of Robyn with her energetic attitude that he couldn't help but fall in love with her. The others were all his friends as well, along with Lady Une, Sally Po, Hilde, and Catherine. They all hoped he would fall in love with Relena, but he couldn't. He was still in love with his chestnut haired tenshi, and always would be. He could promise her to move on and make friends, but no one could replace her love. He knew Rei understood his feelings, he knew she had gone through something very similar to what he had and that's what made them so close. They were what each other needed, arms to hold them, hearts to feel for them. And, even though his heart was healing under the guidance of the violet eyed pilot and he was very much in love with her, none could take the place of his first real friend.
He suddenly felt a gently hand on his shoulder. He knew who it was instantly, and he was glad she was here. Slowly getting to his feet, the perfect soldier smiled softly at the statue. The hand disappeared and two arms wrapped themselves around his waist comfortingly as the person rested her head on his back. Heero turned slightly so that he brought the raven haired girl into his arms. Her dark violet eyes looked concerned at him.
"Are you alright Hee-chan?" She asked, looking to the marble statue.
"Yes…yes, I'm fine." He reassured her, gently pulling her tighter into his embrace, which she reacted by laying her head on his shoulder.
They both stood there in silence as they watched the angel girl for a moment.
"I wish I could have known her." Rei said quietly, giving her "Perfect Soldier" as soft squeeze.
Heero rubbed her hand, not taking his gaze from the girl he had been so in love with. He knew Robyn wouldn't be mad at him for falling in love with Rei, no, she would be ecstatic. He smirked as he pictured her running around the raven haired girl asking her all sorts of questions…like when was the wedding going to be. Yes, she would be happy to hear he was moving on.
"I know she would have loved you. You both would have gotten along extremely well." He added with a low snicker, he could almost see her winking at him playfully.
A small silence followed before Heero came back to reality.
"Aishiteru, Robie-girl." And with that, the dark clad man walked away, his arm wrapped lovingly around the female pilot beside him.
A soft laugh reached his ears as a white feather fell gently to the ground by their feet. With a knowing chuckle the seventeen year old boy picked it off the ground and placed it safely into his coat pocket.
"What's that, koishii?" Rei asked, seeing the soft smile on her love's face.
"Just a gift…from an angel. I think she likes you." He said softly.
A confused look slipped across her face, making him laugh. He gently kissed her lips before winking at her jokingly. She smiled brightly, happy to know the man she loved was content.
Continuing on their way, the two were not able to see the young girl with chestnut hair down to her waist and dark emerald green eyes that sparkled cheerfully. She smiled brightly at them as she spread her silver wings out behind her, taking herself into the clouds, but never losing sight of the young man she continued to watch over.
"Aishiteru, Din-chan. I'm proud of you."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A young boy about five years old walked slowly through the deserted park. It was a weekday and most parents had jobs to do and left their children with babysitters or at school. But he didn't have parents, he didn't have anyone. He had been staying with Dr. J for almost four months now, training, fighting, learning. There was nothing he wasn't going to be taught, he had already accomplished the art of firearms, and the workings of high explosives. But what was most important was the orders they continually told him at almost ever waking moment "You are the perfect soldier, you cannot feel, you must never fail your mission." It seemed that was all the scientists had to say to him. And he could only take so much. They didn't care about him, only their "Perfect Soldier" that they kept talking about, and yet he had never seen this amazing man, only continuing to hear about his marvelous skills, they didn't care about him, not at all.
He would occasionally sneak out after his training, when the mad doctors would leave him alone in his room, and come down to the park to walk. He knew the park was a place where kids were to play and have fun, but he didn't know how to play anymore, it seemed like a long lost memory that he only knew bits and pieces about. There was a small voice in the back of his mind, telling him not to stay with Dr. J, telling him that if he did something bad would happen, but what else could he do? He didn't have any family, no one would care what happened to him. He was just an orphan who was alone in the world, and orphans weren't uncommon during this time of war. The blue eyed boy was never told exact information, but he did know that OZ was a group of evil people who were trying to take over the world. Definitely bad people. But he didn't know what he was suppose to do about it, he was only a little boy. How was he suppose to stand up against the entire army like the old man continued to claim he would?
A soft laugh brought the wandering boy to a halt. He looked around quickly, his reflexes kicking in as he jumped behind a tree. Looking around again the moss brown haired, assassin in training checked for any thing that could be a threat. Nothing. He about had a heart attack when he suddenly came face to face with a small girl about his age. Stumbling back against the trunk of his hiding place, he looked up to see her hanging from her knees by a branch no more than a foot above him. She had dark chestnut hair that was pulled back in a ponytail and held securely by a light pink ribbon, and deep emerald green eyes that glinted happily as she smiled excitedly at him. He didn't know what to do, why had she scared him like that?
"Hello," she stated happily, remaining in her upside down position. "My name's Robyn Kathleen Raye, what's yours?"
She seemed extremely proud of being able to remember her entire name, her bright eyes never leaving his persian blue ones. What was he supposed to say? Dr. J had told him that his first name that he had had no longer existed, but he didn't like the new one he had given. After thinking quickly, he decided that he wanted to tell her the truth, he wanted to be her friend for some reason.
"Odin Lowe." He said quietly, wondering what she was going to do.
Robyn flashed her smile before pulling herself up to a sitting position and jumping to the ground. She smoothed out her light pink dress then looked back at him, her curiosity burning like a bonfire.
"Hi Odin, wanna play with me? Why were you walking by yourself? Did you get scared when I laughed? I've never heard of anyone getting scared of a laugh."
Odin blinked a moment, trying to register everything she had just said. The young girl apparently had quite a lot of bundled up energy, but he didn't mind. There was something about her that made him want to smile, which was absolutely forbidden by the white haired man back at the base. Upon deciding that the he did not want to answer the other questions he responded to the first, though, somewhat nervously.
"I don't know how to play." Came his quiet voice, looking at his feet as he dug the toe of his sneaker into the dirt.
"That's okay! I'll teach you! Mrs. Moeruko at school says I'd make a really good teacher when I'm bigger." With that she took Odin's hand and drug him towards the jungle gym.
Little did he know that the green eyed girl would change his life forever.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
For the next six years Odin Lowe, or who now known as Heero Yuy to all except Robyn, would sneak out of training as much as possible to meet his best friend before and after school. They would spend all their time at the park, playing, talking, and just simply being there for one another. He never told her what exactly it was that he was training for, it would put her life in danger, but she did know that he was involved in something big, but she didn't care. Odin was her best friend and nothing else mattered. They were both twelve years old now and their world was still, for the most part, serene and peaceful. The blue eyed boy may have been being trained to be an emotionless killer, but Robyn kept the doctors from completely destroying all traces of his humanity. While she was around his pain would disappear, giving him the chance to be a normal kid. She was carefree, innocent, and had the biggest heart ever bestowed upon a person. But that would all soon changed…
Heero could still see her smile when he closed his eyes, he could never forget her ever. She had meant everything to him, the only reason he lived through that hell on earth that was his childhood was knowing that he could soon see her again and laugh freely. He would pour his heart out to her when he saw her and she would be sympathetic, and comfort him when he needed then did all she could to keep his mind off of it and get his spirits up. He knew she would do anything for him just as he would for her, that's what made them so close, but no one else knew of their friendship. They couldn't risk it. Over the years Heero had gotten more closed off to everything around him, but he held nothing back from his chestnut haired tenshi. Had it happened a few years later he probably could have saved her from her horrible fate, had he been able to read the signs that were showing up he could still have her with him, but he couldn't, not then. He still cursed himself at night while he was alone that he hadn't done anything to help save her. That terrible night was as fresh in his memory as if it had happened only moments ago. In that one moment he had felt rage, sorrow and fear like never before nor ever again.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
1 She walks to school with the lunch she packed
2 Nobody knows what she's holdin' back
Wearin' the same dress she wore yesterday
She hides the bruises with linen and lace
Odin sat silently on the roof of a nearby building, watching the smaller girl walk towards the school building. He felt the need to keep a close eyes on her so nothing could hurt her. Noticing her unconsciously rub her shoulder, the young assassin reminded himself to later ask about it. He hated any idea of her being hurt and wanted to know if she had been bullied by a kid at school. He could easily set the kisama straight, no one messed with his best friend.
3 Her friend wonders but he doesn't ask
It's hard to see the pain behind the mask
Bearing the burden of a secret storm
Sometimes she wishes she was never born
As the days went on Robyn still refused to admit something was wrong, but he could tell. He could tell by looking in her eyes that there was something she was keeping from him and it hurt him deeply. Did she not trust him? Was she beginning to not want to be friends him? But when he confronted her about his fears she about broke out crying with apologies. She claimed that it was only nightmares and that she would never leave him. Heero believed her, she would never lie to him.
And so, for two more years, they continued their secret friendship. He, however, knew that something was going on. She became more quiet and jumpy. He had playfully tackled her, both used to rough housing like two boys instead of a boy and a girl, but instead of the laughter and mocking threats he was expecting, she began to cry and beg at him not to hurt her. He hugged her tightly and told her he was sorry, never noticing the bruise that was showing slightly on her side.
4 Through the wind and the rain
She stands hard as a stone
In a world that she can't rise above
But her dreams give her wings
And she flies to a place where she's loved
Concrete Angel
By the time he turned fourteen, Heero had gotten an idea of what was going on, but he couldn't simply accuse it. Robyn might get hurt or angry and he didn't want her to be hurt. He knew she was strong willed and could get through get through almost anything, and he was determined to be there for her.
5 Somebody cries in the middle of the night
The neighbors hear, but they turn out the lights
A fragile soul caught in the hands of fate
When morning comes it'll be too late
Heero raced down the street. It was in the middle of the night and pouring down rain, but he couldn't stop. He knew Robyn was in danger, he didn't know how but he did, and he couldn't let anything happen to her. Lightning flashed across the sky, bringing shadows to dance along the pavement as if of demonic origin. His precise breathing came out in puffs as he pushed himself faster. Dark, moss brown, hair fell disarranged into his eyes but he did nothing to move them. Even though the young boy knew he was pushing his limits on speed, it seemed as if he wasn't making any progress. The three story, light blue house that his dearest friend called home seemed just as far away, if not more. He had to get there before it was too late.
Through the wind and the rain
She stands hard as a stone
In a world that she can't rise above
But her dreams give her wings
And she flies to a place where she's loved
Concrete Angel
As he neared her house he pulled out his gun, ready for anything. He was only a block away when he heard it. A cry that rang in his ears and broke his heart into a million pieces, leaving a sick feeling of nausea in the pit of his stomach. Finally reaching the house, the blue eyed pilot kicked the front door open.
The boy froze as he witnessed the scene before him. Robyn was laying, unmovingly, on the floor while her father stood over her. He was startled at the sudden appearance of Heero, but the brown haired pilot couldn't care less. Rage flowed freely through his veins as he held the gun evenly out infront of him and pulled the trigger, instantly killing the man who had done his tenshi so much pain. Without hesitation, he was at the green eyed girl's side. Dark black bruises tainted her pail skin as a bleeding cut was slashed across her cheek. The dark crimson liquid slid down the delicate skin, leaving in it's wake a trail that resembled that of tears…blood tears from a fallen angel. Looking for a pulse, Heero was thankful to find one, faint, but there none the less. Propping her up gently he was about to pick her up and get her to the nearest hospital when she suddenly coughed. Looking down on her angelic face, persian collided with fading emerald.
"D…Din-chan?" she managed to get out, tears blurring her vision.
"Shh, don't talk. You'll be okay. I'm going to get you to a hospital." He reassured, gently rubbing her hair delicately to soothe her.
"No" she said quietly, closing her eyes and weakly burying her face into his neck.
"What are you talking about, Robie!? We have to get you to a hospital! Why didn't you tell me this was happening!?" He asked, fear flashing across his features.
"I-I couldn't tell you, I didn't want you to get hurt. I knew if you found out you would come after dad and he would have hurt you. I d-don't want to go to the hospital, I don't want to die in a white room surrounded by strangers. Please just stay here with me."
Heero felt as if his world was crumbling, how could this happen!? Why did this have to happen to Robyn? She was innocent, she didn't deserve this.
"You're not going to die Robie-girl, I won't let you." He stated determinably, holding her closely, as if he could save her in that way.
She laughed weakly but they turned into hacking coughs, ones that covered her hands in blood. It was as if his insides were suddenly ice when he realized that one of her lungs had been punctured by a rib. He was going to lose her if he didn't do something.
"Kudasia, Din-chan. I want to stay here."
He never could refuse her anything, but it was killing him as well as her. He couldn't lose her, not now when he was soon going to have to go to war. He needed someone to go back to. Someone to live for. And if she wasn't here…he wouldn't have anyone. Brushing the chestnut silk that hung in her face away, he put his head gently by hers.
"I'll never leave you Robyn."
"I love you Din-chan, you are my best friend and I will never leave you either. I will watch over you I promise." She whispered, her voice getting weaker by the minute. "I want you to do something for me Odin."
"Anything." He stated instantly, not wanting her to be in any discomfort.
"Don't forget me, and don't forget yourself either. You have a good heart, go on living after I'm gone. I don't want you to throw your life away."
"I can't, Robyn. You're all I have, you're the only reason I get up in the morning. I can't live without you." He begged, feeling the tears the threatened to fall.
"Make new friends, I know you can do this. I want you to promise, Odin, you have to live…for me."
Heero managed a small nod. "Mission accepted."
"Odin?" She asked quietly.
"Hai, Robie-girl?"
"Could you give me my first kiss? I always dreamed of my first kiss coming from someone special. And you're more special to me than anything."
Heero didn't know what to say. His throat constricted as he tried to bite back the salty tears, not wanting to show the girl in his arms how afraid he was. She was so brave to be so clam while she knew she was dying, and he wanted to be brave for her.
Nodding again silently, he gently pressed his lips to hers, wanting nothing more than for him to die right there along side her, but knowing he couldn't break the one promise he made to her. He could taste the coppery liquid that was still on her lips, but it didn't matter, nothing mattered. All that he cared about was for her to be happy when she died, and he hoped this would make her so. The tears that no longer could be held back slid down his cheeks and onto hers. He could literally feel her life slipping away as her hand, which had been resting on his chest, gently fell to her side…she was gone.
Choking back a sob, the Perfect Soldier cradled the smaller form close to him, not being able to let go. Why did fate have to be so cruel? Why did it seem to hate him so much that it took everyone from him!?
"Aishiteru, Robyn. Now and forever." He whispered into her ear as the golden light of sunrise peaked over the horizon.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A statue stands in a shaded place
An angel girl with an upturned face
A name is written on a polished rock
A broken heart that the world forgot
Heero stopped infront of a monument underneath a particularly beautiful sakura tree. Soft light from above peeked between the leaves, leaving pail shadows to jump teasingly whenever the wind would blow. A full size statue of Robyn rested there, her waist length hair blowing slightly in the wind along with the simple angel gown which she adorned. Elegant wings folded behind her as she gazed lovingly up into the heavens, a peaceful smile gracing her features. Down below the marble copy, there was a plaque. He still remembered when he told the people what he wanted put on it.
"Robyn Kathleen Raye, devoted and loyal friend. Your love will shine on in our hearts."
Then below that, in small print that wouldn't make a passerby glance twice was Heero's own message to her.
"I promise."
Through the wind and the rain
She stands hard as a stone
In a world that she can't rise above
But her dreams give her wings
And she flies to a place where she's loved
Concrete Angel
Kneeling down infront of the grave, the blue eyed pilot laid a single, white rose at the angel's feet, the delicate petals momentarily brushing against his skin. He had kept his promise to her. The war was now over and he was moving on in his life. He had opened up to the others and allowed himself to make friends, Duo and Rei especially. The black haired girl reminded him so much of Robyn with her energetic attitude that he couldn't help but fall in love with her. The others were all his friends as well, along with Lady Une, Sally Po, Hilde, and Catherine. They all hoped he would fall in love with Relena, but he couldn't. He was still in love with his chestnut haired tenshi, and always would be. He could promise her to move on and make friends, but no one could replace her love. He knew Rei understood his feelings, he knew she had gone through something very similar to what he had and that's what made them so close. They were what each other needed, arms to hold them, hearts to feel for them. And, even though his heart was healing under the guidance of the violet eyed pilot and he was very much in love with her, none could take the place of his first real friend.
He suddenly felt a gently hand on his shoulder. He knew who it was instantly, and he was glad she was here. Slowly getting to his feet, the perfect soldier smiled softly at the statue. The hand disappeared and two arms wrapped themselves around his waist comfortingly as the person rested her head on his back. Heero turned slightly so that he brought the raven haired girl into his arms. Her dark violet eyes looked concerned at him.
"Are you alright Hee-chan?" She asked, looking to the marble statue.
"Yes…yes, I'm fine." He reassured her, gently pulling her tighter into his embrace, which she reacted by laying her head on his shoulder.
They both stood there in silence as they watched the angel girl for a moment.
"I wish I could have known her." Rei said quietly, giving her "Perfect Soldier" as soft squeeze.
Heero rubbed her hand, not taking his gaze from the girl he had been so in love with. He knew Robyn wouldn't be mad at him for falling in love with Rei, no, she would be ecstatic. He smirked as he pictured her running around the raven haired girl asking her all sorts of questions…like when was the wedding going to be. Yes, she would be happy to hear he was moving on.
"I know she would have loved you. You both would have gotten along extremely well." He added with a low snicker, he could almost see her winking at him playfully.
A small silence followed before Heero came back to reality.
"Aishiteru, Robie-girl." And with that, the dark clad man walked away, his arm wrapped lovingly around the female pilot beside him.
A soft laugh reached his ears as a white feather fell gently to the ground by their feet. With a knowing chuckle the seventeen year old boy picked it off the ground and placed it safely into his coat pocket.
"What's that, koishii?" Rei asked, seeing the soft smile on her love's face.
"Just a gift…from an angel. I think she likes you." He said softly.
A confused look slipped across her face, making him laugh. He gently kissed her lips before winking at her jokingly. She smiled brightly, happy to know the man she loved was content.
Continuing on their way, the two were not able to see the young girl with chestnut hair down to her waist and dark emerald green eyes that sparkled cheerfully. She smiled brightly at them as she spread her silver wings out behind her, taking herself into the clouds, but never losing sight of the young man she continued to watch over.
"Aishiteru, Din-chan. I'm proud of you."