CHAPTER TWO
"Class, may I introduce our newest student, Mr. Sanada Ryo." The teacher looked at the boy who stood at the front of the class and waved casually back to everyone. He didn't look like he belonged here at all. This was a private school, for only the richest and most powerful on the planet. Everyone at the school was elite in one way or another and looked the part.
This boy, Ryo, had very long black hair that fell down his back and fell into his eyes. He had on worn jeans and a red T-shirt that had seen better days. Other than that, he had nothing. No books or bag. It was like he'd just walked in off the street.
Duo Maxwell, sitting at the back with his koibito (boyfriend), Heero Yuy, looked up sharply at the name. A smile grew quickly and Duo stood up, almost knocking over his desk. "Ryo!" He cried happily.
Ryo looked up and saw Duo. "Duo!" Both boys ran to each other and hugged. They started chattering happily, not seeming to notice that everyone was staring. "I haven't seen you in ages!" Ryo exclaimed. "I can't believe your hair, it's two feet longer!" Ryo took Duo's prized braid by the end and gave it a familiar tug, making Duo smile even wider.
Duo laughed. "Yeah, but you haven't gotten your hair cut yet." He flicked Ryo's long hair out of his eyes. "Jeeze, don't you comb it?" Duo ran his fingers through Ryo's long black hair, all the way down its full length and leaving his hand on Ryo's back.
"You're one to talk, Mr. Vanity." They laughed and Ryo didn't see the black look from Heero.
"Boys?" They both turned and seemed to be surprised that everyone was staring. The teacher looked at them, decidedly not amused. "If you've finished. Mr. Sanada, please take the seat next to Duo and we'll see if we can get you some books later. Try not to talk through class. I don't think I can hold much hope for that but it's the only empty seat."
Ryo smiled. "Yes, thank you, ma'am." With that, he headed over to the empty seat next to Duo and the window.
"What are you doing here, Ryo?" Duo asked, a little more subdued. He hadn't stopped smiling, not that he ever did anyway. "I haven't heard a thing from you since you ran away six years ago."
Ryo blushed and couldn't quite meet Duo's eyes. "Well, the orphanage wasn't the place for me, you know. Things to do."
Duo sniffed. "Well, I thought you died or something, you know. That creepy old geezer was weirder than anything. You never tried to write or call anything. I ran away a year later and ended up in space, on one of the colonies."
"Really? In outer space? Wow!" Ryo's eyes widened in appreciation. "Hey, who's your friend?" Ryo looked over Duo's shoulder at Heero who stared at the front of the room blankly.
Heero didn't even acknowledge him. Ryo looked at Duo, puzzled, and Duo shrugged. "Don't worry about it. Heero's all right, he's just like that." But Duo was worried. He'd known Heero for long enough to know when Heero was angry, though it didn't often show, Duo could tell. Subtle ticks and little gestures gave away Heero's emotions. Now, why should Heero be angry?
As the morning went on, Duo came to realize that Ryo had no interest in school. He daydreamed though out the class and, Duo saw suspiciously, kept watching Heero. During a break, Ryo looked at Duo. "Your friend doesn't seem very friendly, if you'll excuse my saying so."
Duo frowned. "I told you. He's just like that. He's not trying to be rude."
"What's his name?"
"Heero Yuy. Why do you ask?" Duo thought he saw a light flash for just a moment in the other boy's eyes, but it dimmed quickly.
"No reason." Ryo smiled as if nothing happened, but Duo was suspicious. He didn't want to think his old friend was up to anything bad, but, well, he had to protect Heero, after all. Heero belonged to HIM!
Ryo-
I THINK I'VE FOUND THEM, Ryo said to the others. THESE TWO GUYS FEELS LIKE THEY MIGHT BE THE SAME AS US.
Through the link, Ryo got a sudden impression of cool, soothing water washing over his face and Shin spoke. WE'LL HAVE TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THE DYNASTY, THEN.
Ryo felt safe when Shu said, NO PROBLEM, RYO. YOU JUST CALL AND WE'LL COME RUNNING. IT'S ABOUT TIME, TOO. I HATE SCHOOL! Ryo knew, even as Shu spoke, that all his friends were running out of the schools where they'd enrolled to look for the other warriors. It had been Nasutei's idea to have them all look at different schools with the idea that if they split up, it would take less time to find them. Now that Ryo had at least one, the others would come to him.
When Ryo used the link to communicate with his friends, his mind would instantly feel their personalities. With Shu, it was as if there was a wall surrounding him when Shu entered his mind and would keep him safe.
There was a tingle of electricity in the palms of his hands when Seiji spoke. WHO IS THAT BOY THAT YOU KNOW? DUO? There was a distinctive ring of jealousy in Seiji's voice.
JUST AN OLD FRIEND. WE SORT OF GREW UP AT THE SAME ORPHANAGE, BEFORE I RAN AWAY.
Coolness touched Ryo's face. Touma. DIDN'T NASTY SAY SOMETHING ABOUT ONE OF THE GUYS IN HER DREAM HAVING A BRAID?
Ryo took another looked at Duo, doodling in his notebook with his tongue stuck out of the corner of his mouth. He couldn't imagine Duo being a Trooper, but then, who would imagine any of them as great mystical warriors? It was possible. Heero was the one he had suspected of being one of the others.
YEAH, Ryo replied. BUT I WAS HOPING IT WASAN'T HIM. I DON'T WANT HIM TO HAVE TO GET INVOLVED IN A WAR. DUO'S JUST NOT A FIGHTER. THIS GUY HEERO LOOKS MORE LIKE A FIGHTER. BUT THEY BOTH FEEL FAMILIAR, LIKE THE FIRST TIME I MET ALL OF YOU. MAYBE DUO JUST FEELS FAMILIAR BECAUSE I KNEW HIM BEFORE. But Ryo knew it was a faint hope. Duo just felt too much like one of them.
"Mr. Sanada, are you paying attention?" A voice interrupted his thoughts.
WHOOPS, SORRY GUYS. GOTTA GO! "I'm sorry, what?" Ryo stood up quickly, almost knocking his chair over. The class laughed at Ryo who blushed awkwardly.
The teacher sighed. "Mr. Sanada, day dreaming is not a good way to start off your first day! I can see you and Mr. Maxwell have much in common." She did not say it like it was a compliment.
Ryo scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, sorry." He could hear his friends laughing at him. At least he was amusing someone! His brothers laughed harder at his irritation. All right, so they weren't really his brothers, but they were all so close it seemed that they were.
Duo-
Duo stood with Heero outside at lunch and they watched Ryo from a distance. The schoolyard was crowded with uniformed students, but Duo's eyes were glued on one boy in particular. "He's been watching you." Duo said, watching Ryo carefully. "All day, out of the corner of his eye."
Heero said coldly, crossing his arms over his chest. "I thought he'd been watching you."
Duo's eyes widened in surprise and a teasing smile lit his face. "Why, koibito, are you jealous?" He grinned at Heero who stubbornly turned his face away. When Heero said nothing, Duo's smile grew. "You are!" Duo clasped his hands together with sheer bliss. "My itoshii (beloved) is jealous of a boy he's never met before! I'm so happy!" He was nearly yelling, so Heero grabbed him by the throat.
"Duo,"
"Yes, honey?" Duo managed to gasp past Heero's clenched hand. He was still smiling, as he knew Heero would never really hurt him.
"Shut up."
"Never, darling."
Heero suddenly let go and turned his back on Duo in frustration.
"Seriously, Heero, you have nothing to worry about." Duo laughed as he massaged his throat. "Ryo's just an old friend. I haven't even seen him in six years. God, we were kids when I saw him last." Duo's mind went to the last time he'd seen Ryo.
Duo's flashback-
"Ryo, what are you doing?" Duo rubbed his eyes when he realized something was wrong in the middle of the night. Little Ryo was fully dressed with a pillowcase full of his meager belongings. Ryo was halfway out the window of the third floor where they lived in the orphanage.
Ryo turned in surprise to find that he'd been caught, but quickly put a finger to his lips and beckoned Duo over to him. "I have to leave." Ryo whispered when Duo got out of bed and came over to the window.
"What are you talking about? Get back to bed or sister's gonna whack your ass with her ruler." Duo said rubbing his eyes as he tried to wake up properly.
Ryo shook his head. "Sister isn't going to find out, Duo. I'll be long gone by morning. I have to go now."
"Go where? Ryo, please try to make sense." Duo didn't like mysteries at the best times and right now he just wanted to get back to be. "If you're trying to run away, wait till summer. It's the freezing out there." He looked out the window and the snow was all ready falling in large, lazy flakes.
"No. I have to go now. He's waiting for me." Ryo's eyes got distant and he looked out into the night.
Duo was starting to fear for his friend. "He? He who, Ryo? You can't leave without talking to sister. Is some guy bugging you?" Duo was worldly enough to know all about men who tried to take advantage of innocent little boys and Ryo was the most innocent kid Duo had ever met.
Ryo swallowed hard and looked doubtful. "He said I wasn't supposed to tell anyone, but I'm not sure why. You'd keep a secret, wouldn't you, Duo-Chan?"
Duo nodded quickly. Maybe if he found out what was going on, he could talk Ryo out of this long enough to get sister to talk sense into Ryo. Ryo opened his moth to speak, but a terrible roar broke the silence, causing Ryo to look at the dark forest that surrounded the orphanage. He bit his lip and looked at Duo. "Sorry, Duo-Chan, but it's to late. I have to go now." Without another word, Ryo jumped out the window.
Duo, terrified that Ryo had fallen the three stories, ran quickly to the window. He was relieved to see Ryo safely on the ground and running into the darkness.
"What am I doing just standing here?" Duo considered just going out the front door, but sister was a light sleeper and would notice someone wandering the halls at night. "I gotta go help him." Duo carefully climbed out after Ryo and went down as fast as he could, but it was not terribly difficult. He was far more experienced than Ryo at sneaking out at night, so he knew all the foot hold.
In just a few seconds, Duo was following where he thought Ryo had gone. As another branch hit Duo in the face he cursed angrily. "I'm gonna kill Ryo as soon as I rescue him!" He muttered. "Idiot sneaking out at night in the middle of winter!" Duo was shivering and his teeth were chattering. He wished he'd thought to bring his coat.
Duo skid to a halt and his mouth dropped open. He'd reached a clearing and there was Ryo and some weird old man with a flat hat and a staff that jingled when he moved it. Ryo stood before the old man, and neither said anything. The old man reached out a hand to Ryo and Duo burst out of the trees.
"Leave him alone!" Duo cried. He pushed a startled Ryo aside and aimed a kick for the old man's crotch. Somehow, he missed. That was weird, Duo never missed. "Get away from him." This was just what Duo had feared, some old pervert just waiting to catch poor, innocent Ryo all alone with no one to protect him!
Someone grabbed Duo's shoulders and he looked over his shoulders at Ryo. "Stop it, Duo! He's my friend." Ryo looked at the old man who still had said nothing. "Please, Kaosu, can Duo come with us? Duo's an orphan, too and he's my friend. Can he come live with us?"
The old man, Kaosu, seemed to think for a moment, but finally shook his head. "No, Ryo. It is for the best if he remains here for a while." Kaosu looked at Duo. "You are brave to try and save Ryo, but he is in no danger, yet. Your destiny is as great as his, but you must wait a little longer before you discover it. I am sure that the two of you will meet again, one day."
Duo, stunned by this strange speech, didn't stop talking. "What do you mean? What's going on? You can't take him, you dirty old man! I'll show you!" Duo tried to stand up and fight again, but suddenly there was something immense blocking his path and large brown eyes looked down at him. Duo froze, starring at the huge tiger.
Kaosu spoke again, this time to the tiger. "Byakuen, take Ryo home. I will speak with the boy." The tiger turned away from Duo and looked at Ryo who smiled at it happily before climbing onto its back.
"Ryo?" Duo asked, feeling quite helpless. He couldn't attack a tiger that big, it would kill him! Ryo wanted to go. He really wanted to leave. "Don't leave, Ryo. I'll protect you."
Ryo smiled over his shoulder. "I have something important to do, Duo. I'll see you again, I promise!" With that, the tiger ran off into the woods vanishing into the darkness and taking Ryo with it.
Duo started to cry, he didn't know what else to do. There was a soft chime as the old man stepped closer. "Duo Maxwell, do not worry for your friend. I will not harm him and Byakuen is very fond of him. He will be well cared for until his destiny is at hand."
"Leave me alone!" Duo jumped up and away from the freak, his face furious. "I'm gonna tell sister that you took Ryo and she's gonna get you!" In Duo's young mind there was nothing more fearsome than sister on the warpath and anyone who had ever dared to threaten her charges were met by her wrath.
"The sister who cares for you will not find us again. Go back, Duo. You will meet Ryo again." The old man turned and followed where Byakuen had gone, not at all upset by Duo's threat.
Duo sat alone in the snow with tears running down his face. After a very short while, he got up and tried to follow, but they had all vanished. Even the tiger left no tracks in the newly fallen snow. Duo managed to get himself lost and sister found him shivering by a side of a highway. She took him home and warmed him up by the fire. After hearing his story, she called the local police who searched thoroughly in the forest. When they found nothing, she searched herself, but had to admit that Ryo was gone. All surrounding towns and cities were told to be on the look out for a little boy or an old man dressed as a monk, but nothing ever turned up.
As far as Duo knew, the old man probably let the tiger eat Ryo.
End of flashback-
Duo shook his head. "I don't know, Heero. He seems to space out at the weirdest times, like he's not even aware that he's in school. There's something about him. He is my friend, but..." Duo felt almost guilty, talking about his friend behind his back. He'd only just found Ryo again, after all, but it was odd. Of coarse, the way he kept staring at Heero meant that maybe he had a crush on Duo's koi. Old friend or not, that would not be tolerated! "He's my friend, Heero. I'm sure he's not going to cause us any trouble."
Ryo walked away from where most of the students sat outside eating and talking to just at the wall that surrounded the school. He leaned against the wall with his hands in the pockets of his jeans and stared at Heero from across the yard. His gaze was intense, though he seemed to try not to be noticed, as he half way hid his eyes under his hair.
There was something about Ryo, something they couldn't define and it bothered them both. Heero didn't quite agree with Duo's assessment, but Ryo had done nothing wrong and there were no orders to do anything about him, so Heero would leave the boy alone, for now. It was unspoken that they would watch and see what they could learn, if anything.
For almost ten minutes, Ryo stood completely still just staring. Duo was getting impatient for something to happen and rather wishing that Ryo wouldn't stare at Heero, when a head appeared over the wall. It was a blue haired boy and he looked down at Ryo before smiling and saying something.
Both Duo and Heero were instantly alert when Ryo looked up and replied to the boy on the wall with a smile. It was unusual, to say the least. Especially when the blue haired boy climbed onto the wall and helped another boy with brown hair up next to him. Finally, the two of them reached down and pulled a large, muscular boy up. All three looked down at the smiling Ryo.
"Maybe we should get a little closer?" Duo suggested, but Heero was all ready sneaking closer to the four boys, hiding behind trees. Duo rolled his eyes. "Just once, I wish you'd wait for me."
Ryo-
I knew they were watching me, but then Touma shouted from over my head and I looked up at him. "Hey, Ryo! We thought you could use a little company."
I can't help but smile up at him. "Come on down." So what if the others thought it was odd? There's no rule I know of that says kids can't sneak into school. "You guys got here fast." They must have put on their armor and run from the other schools.
"Just a minute, I need to help the others." Touma pulled Shin up, while Shu pushed from the other side of the wall, and together, the smaller boys pulled Shu up. Everyone smiled at me and then jumped down. In reality, none of them needed to be helped climbing something as simple as a fence, but they really didn't want anyone to find out about their powers. I was more than pleased to see friendly faces.
"Hey, guys. Where's Seiji?" I asked.
"He's scouting around the school. Says that he wants to be prepared, just in case something happens." Shu said. "You know him, can't let up his guard for a minute. He thought that if we were all coming for a visit, then he would keep an eye out for the enemy."
That was typical of Seiji, he was very much into duty and he was very sensible.
"I think it's pretty obvious that Duo's one of the Others we're supposed to keep an eye on." Touma said. "That braid's fairly original and it was one of the concrete thing that Nasty remembered from her dream."
My face fell. "I was hoping it wasn't him. But I think his friend Heero might be another. Nasty said something about a guy with an icy face, right? You should see Heero. I've never seen anyone so cold. Besides, he feels...different."
Shin asked, "Do you think Arago will try to kill them?" He hated fighting more than any of them, but he was more than willing to help, especially when there were innocent lives at stake.
Shu shook his head. "Naw. Why'd he wait all this time?"
"I agree with Shu." Touma said. "Perhaps he wants to recruit them and bring them to the Nether Realms. It could be possible that he wants the Ma-Sho to train the two of them until one of the armors becomes, shall we say, available."
Duo-
What are they talking about? I don't dare ask Heero, as we're so close to these people. Heero's watching them with the same impassive face as usual, but his hands are clenched tightly, making his knuckles turn white. It's something most people wouldn't notice, but I've been with him for a long time. Heero's worried.
I also wonder who Arago is, but he must be working for OZ. Who else would want Heero and I? Dead or recruited, that's what they said. But, why would Ryo be mixed up in all that? He was never one for fighting, so what would ever possess him to join OZ? I think that the old man he'd run away with has something to do with this.
We kept listening and heard, "I still think we should be in there with you, Ryo." This was from the boy dressed in orange. "If the school is attacked, we want to be with you. Every second we waste running to get here might make all the difference."
Ryo slapped his friend on the shoulder. "I appreciate it, Shu, but it's better if we stick to Nasty's plan. I'll stay in the school and you surround it. If Ma-Sho attack, it'll be better to take them by surprise. If they think I'm the only one here, then they won't be so well prepared." He paused a moment. "Maybe we can save Duo and Heero. At all costs we can't let the others get them."
I have to admit, but now I'm starting to get worried. Not only about Heero, but about what Ryo seems to have gotten mixed up in. What did that old monk train him to do? Was it anything like the doctors and how they trained us to be Gundam pilots?
"By the way," Another one asked. "Who are they? Just in case we have to recognize them."
Ryo turned and looked to where we'd been standing a moment ago and frowned. "They're gone." With a sigh he looked at his friends. "Sorry, I'll have to track them down."
They all said good bye to Ryo with a hug for good luck and then helped each other over the wall.
Heero, after the last had left, motioned for me to follow him away from Ryo. We went a distance away from him again, leaving him alone at the wall for just a moment, before he started to search the schoolyard.
"What do you think?" I asked Heero. If it were me, I'd want to get Ryo to talk and spill the beans about what was going on, but I didn't to scare Ryo to badly. Heero usually had more drastic responses, but this time he surprised me.
"We wait and watch."
"Really? That's not like you."
Heero almost smiled. "I want to know what's going on. I want to know who Arago is."
Continued...
Please remember to review. I keep writing with more review.
"Class, may I introduce our newest student, Mr. Sanada Ryo." The teacher looked at the boy who stood at the front of the class and waved casually back to everyone. He didn't look like he belonged here at all. This was a private school, for only the richest and most powerful on the planet. Everyone at the school was elite in one way or another and looked the part.
This boy, Ryo, had very long black hair that fell down his back and fell into his eyes. He had on worn jeans and a red T-shirt that had seen better days. Other than that, he had nothing. No books or bag. It was like he'd just walked in off the street.
Duo Maxwell, sitting at the back with his koibito (boyfriend), Heero Yuy, looked up sharply at the name. A smile grew quickly and Duo stood up, almost knocking over his desk. "Ryo!" He cried happily.
Ryo looked up and saw Duo. "Duo!" Both boys ran to each other and hugged. They started chattering happily, not seeming to notice that everyone was staring. "I haven't seen you in ages!" Ryo exclaimed. "I can't believe your hair, it's two feet longer!" Ryo took Duo's prized braid by the end and gave it a familiar tug, making Duo smile even wider.
Duo laughed. "Yeah, but you haven't gotten your hair cut yet." He flicked Ryo's long hair out of his eyes. "Jeeze, don't you comb it?" Duo ran his fingers through Ryo's long black hair, all the way down its full length and leaving his hand on Ryo's back.
"You're one to talk, Mr. Vanity." They laughed and Ryo didn't see the black look from Heero.
"Boys?" They both turned and seemed to be surprised that everyone was staring. The teacher looked at them, decidedly not amused. "If you've finished. Mr. Sanada, please take the seat next to Duo and we'll see if we can get you some books later. Try not to talk through class. I don't think I can hold much hope for that but it's the only empty seat."
Ryo smiled. "Yes, thank you, ma'am." With that, he headed over to the empty seat next to Duo and the window.
"What are you doing here, Ryo?" Duo asked, a little more subdued. He hadn't stopped smiling, not that he ever did anyway. "I haven't heard a thing from you since you ran away six years ago."
Ryo blushed and couldn't quite meet Duo's eyes. "Well, the orphanage wasn't the place for me, you know. Things to do."
Duo sniffed. "Well, I thought you died or something, you know. That creepy old geezer was weirder than anything. You never tried to write or call anything. I ran away a year later and ended up in space, on one of the colonies."
"Really? In outer space? Wow!" Ryo's eyes widened in appreciation. "Hey, who's your friend?" Ryo looked over Duo's shoulder at Heero who stared at the front of the room blankly.
Heero didn't even acknowledge him. Ryo looked at Duo, puzzled, and Duo shrugged. "Don't worry about it. Heero's all right, he's just like that." But Duo was worried. He'd known Heero for long enough to know when Heero was angry, though it didn't often show, Duo could tell. Subtle ticks and little gestures gave away Heero's emotions. Now, why should Heero be angry?
As the morning went on, Duo came to realize that Ryo had no interest in school. He daydreamed though out the class and, Duo saw suspiciously, kept watching Heero. During a break, Ryo looked at Duo. "Your friend doesn't seem very friendly, if you'll excuse my saying so."
Duo frowned. "I told you. He's just like that. He's not trying to be rude."
"What's his name?"
"Heero Yuy. Why do you ask?" Duo thought he saw a light flash for just a moment in the other boy's eyes, but it dimmed quickly.
"No reason." Ryo smiled as if nothing happened, but Duo was suspicious. He didn't want to think his old friend was up to anything bad, but, well, he had to protect Heero, after all. Heero belonged to HIM!
Ryo-
I THINK I'VE FOUND THEM, Ryo said to the others. THESE TWO GUYS FEELS LIKE THEY MIGHT BE THE SAME AS US.
Through the link, Ryo got a sudden impression of cool, soothing water washing over his face and Shin spoke. WE'LL HAVE TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THE DYNASTY, THEN.
Ryo felt safe when Shu said, NO PROBLEM, RYO. YOU JUST CALL AND WE'LL COME RUNNING. IT'S ABOUT TIME, TOO. I HATE SCHOOL! Ryo knew, even as Shu spoke, that all his friends were running out of the schools where they'd enrolled to look for the other warriors. It had been Nasutei's idea to have them all look at different schools with the idea that if they split up, it would take less time to find them. Now that Ryo had at least one, the others would come to him.
When Ryo used the link to communicate with his friends, his mind would instantly feel their personalities. With Shu, it was as if there was a wall surrounding him when Shu entered his mind and would keep him safe.
There was a tingle of electricity in the palms of his hands when Seiji spoke. WHO IS THAT BOY THAT YOU KNOW? DUO? There was a distinctive ring of jealousy in Seiji's voice.
JUST AN OLD FRIEND. WE SORT OF GREW UP AT THE SAME ORPHANAGE, BEFORE I RAN AWAY.
Coolness touched Ryo's face. Touma. DIDN'T NASTY SAY SOMETHING ABOUT ONE OF THE GUYS IN HER DREAM HAVING A BRAID?
Ryo took another looked at Duo, doodling in his notebook with his tongue stuck out of the corner of his mouth. He couldn't imagine Duo being a Trooper, but then, who would imagine any of them as great mystical warriors? It was possible. Heero was the one he had suspected of being one of the others.
YEAH, Ryo replied. BUT I WAS HOPING IT WASAN'T HIM. I DON'T WANT HIM TO HAVE TO GET INVOLVED IN A WAR. DUO'S JUST NOT A FIGHTER. THIS GUY HEERO LOOKS MORE LIKE A FIGHTER. BUT THEY BOTH FEEL FAMILIAR, LIKE THE FIRST TIME I MET ALL OF YOU. MAYBE DUO JUST FEELS FAMILIAR BECAUSE I KNEW HIM BEFORE. But Ryo knew it was a faint hope. Duo just felt too much like one of them.
"Mr. Sanada, are you paying attention?" A voice interrupted his thoughts.
WHOOPS, SORRY GUYS. GOTTA GO! "I'm sorry, what?" Ryo stood up quickly, almost knocking his chair over. The class laughed at Ryo who blushed awkwardly.
The teacher sighed. "Mr. Sanada, day dreaming is not a good way to start off your first day! I can see you and Mr. Maxwell have much in common." She did not say it like it was a compliment.
Ryo scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, sorry." He could hear his friends laughing at him. At least he was amusing someone! His brothers laughed harder at his irritation. All right, so they weren't really his brothers, but they were all so close it seemed that they were.
Duo-
Duo stood with Heero outside at lunch and they watched Ryo from a distance. The schoolyard was crowded with uniformed students, but Duo's eyes were glued on one boy in particular. "He's been watching you." Duo said, watching Ryo carefully. "All day, out of the corner of his eye."
Heero said coldly, crossing his arms over his chest. "I thought he'd been watching you."
Duo's eyes widened in surprise and a teasing smile lit his face. "Why, koibito, are you jealous?" He grinned at Heero who stubbornly turned his face away. When Heero said nothing, Duo's smile grew. "You are!" Duo clasped his hands together with sheer bliss. "My itoshii (beloved) is jealous of a boy he's never met before! I'm so happy!" He was nearly yelling, so Heero grabbed him by the throat.
"Duo,"
"Yes, honey?" Duo managed to gasp past Heero's clenched hand. He was still smiling, as he knew Heero would never really hurt him.
"Shut up."
"Never, darling."
Heero suddenly let go and turned his back on Duo in frustration.
"Seriously, Heero, you have nothing to worry about." Duo laughed as he massaged his throat. "Ryo's just an old friend. I haven't even seen him in six years. God, we were kids when I saw him last." Duo's mind went to the last time he'd seen Ryo.
Duo's flashback-
"Ryo, what are you doing?" Duo rubbed his eyes when he realized something was wrong in the middle of the night. Little Ryo was fully dressed with a pillowcase full of his meager belongings. Ryo was halfway out the window of the third floor where they lived in the orphanage.
Ryo turned in surprise to find that he'd been caught, but quickly put a finger to his lips and beckoned Duo over to him. "I have to leave." Ryo whispered when Duo got out of bed and came over to the window.
"What are you talking about? Get back to bed or sister's gonna whack your ass with her ruler." Duo said rubbing his eyes as he tried to wake up properly.
Ryo shook his head. "Sister isn't going to find out, Duo. I'll be long gone by morning. I have to go now."
"Go where? Ryo, please try to make sense." Duo didn't like mysteries at the best times and right now he just wanted to get back to be. "If you're trying to run away, wait till summer. It's the freezing out there." He looked out the window and the snow was all ready falling in large, lazy flakes.
"No. I have to go now. He's waiting for me." Ryo's eyes got distant and he looked out into the night.
Duo was starting to fear for his friend. "He? He who, Ryo? You can't leave without talking to sister. Is some guy bugging you?" Duo was worldly enough to know all about men who tried to take advantage of innocent little boys and Ryo was the most innocent kid Duo had ever met.
Ryo swallowed hard and looked doubtful. "He said I wasn't supposed to tell anyone, but I'm not sure why. You'd keep a secret, wouldn't you, Duo-Chan?"
Duo nodded quickly. Maybe if he found out what was going on, he could talk Ryo out of this long enough to get sister to talk sense into Ryo. Ryo opened his moth to speak, but a terrible roar broke the silence, causing Ryo to look at the dark forest that surrounded the orphanage. He bit his lip and looked at Duo. "Sorry, Duo-Chan, but it's to late. I have to go now." Without another word, Ryo jumped out the window.
Duo, terrified that Ryo had fallen the three stories, ran quickly to the window. He was relieved to see Ryo safely on the ground and running into the darkness.
"What am I doing just standing here?" Duo considered just going out the front door, but sister was a light sleeper and would notice someone wandering the halls at night. "I gotta go help him." Duo carefully climbed out after Ryo and went down as fast as he could, but it was not terribly difficult. He was far more experienced than Ryo at sneaking out at night, so he knew all the foot hold.
In just a few seconds, Duo was following where he thought Ryo had gone. As another branch hit Duo in the face he cursed angrily. "I'm gonna kill Ryo as soon as I rescue him!" He muttered. "Idiot sneaking out at night in the middle of winter!" Duo was shivering and his teeth were chattering. He wished he'd thought to bring his coat.
Duo skid to a halt and his mouth dropped open. He'd reached a clearing and there was Ryo and some weird old man with a flat hat and a staff that jingled when he moved it. Ryo stood before the old man, and neither said anything. The old man reached out a hand to Ryo and Duo burst out of the trees.
"Leave him alone!" Duo cried. He pushed a startled Ryo aside and aimed a kick for the old man's crotch. Somehow, he missed. That was weird, Duo never missed. "Get away from him." This was just what Duo had feared, some old pervert just waiting to catch poor, innocent Ryo all alone with no one to protect him!
Someone grabbed Duo's shoulders and he looked over his shoulders at Ryo. "Stop it, Duo! He's my friend." Ryo looked at the old man who still had said nothing. "Please, Kaosu, can Duo come with us? Duo's an orphan, too and he's my friend. Can he come live with us?"
The old man, Kaosu, seemed to think for a moment, but finally shook his head. "No, Ryo. It is for the best if he remains here for a while." Kaosu looked at Duo. "You are brave to try and save Ryo, but he is in no danger, yet. Your destiny is as great as his, but you must wait a little longer before you discover it. I am sure that the two of you will meet again, one day."
Duo, stunned by this strange speech, didn't stop talking. "What do you mean? What's going on? You can't take him, you dirty old man! I'll show you!" Duo tried to stand up and fight again, but suddenly there was something immense blocking his path and large brown eyes looked down at him. Duo froze, starring at the huge tiger.
Kaosu spoke again, this time to the tiger. "Byakuen, take Ryo home. I will speak with the boy." The tiger turned away from Duo and looked at Ryo who smiled at it happily before climbing onto its back.
"Ryo?" Duo asked, feeling quite helpless. He couldn't attack a tiger that big, it would kill him! Ryo wanted to go. He really wanted to leave. "Don't leave, Ryo. I'll protect you."
Ryo smiled over his shoulder. "I have something important to do, Duo. I'll see you again, I promise!" With that, the tiger ran off into the woods vanishing into the darkness and taking Ryo with it.
Duo started to cry, he didn't know what else to do. There was a soft chime as the old man stepped closer. "Duo Maxwell, do not worry for your friend. I will not harm him and Byakuen is very fond of him. He will be well cared for until his destiny is at hand."
"Leave me alone!" Duo jumped up and away from the freak, his face furious. "I'm gonna tell sister that you took Ryo and she's gonna get you!" In Duo's young mind there was nothing more fearsome than sister on the warpath and anyone who had ever dared to threaten her charges were met by her wrath.
"The sister who cares for you will not find us again. Go back, Duo. You will meet Ryo again." The old man turned and followed where Byakuen had gone, not at all upset by Duo's threat.
Duo sat alone in the snow with tears running down his face. After a very short while, he got up and tried to follow, but they had all vanished. Even the tiger left no tracks in the newly fallen snow. Duo managed to get himself lost and sister found him shivering by a side of a highway. She took him home and warmed him up by the fire. After hearing his story, she called the local police who searched thoroughly in the forest. When they found nothing, she searched herself, but had to admit that Ryo was gone. All surrounding towns and cities were told to be on the look out for a little boy or an old man dressed as a monk, but nothing ever turned up.
As far as Duo knew, the old man probably let the tiger eat Ryo.
End of flashback-
Duo shook his head. "I don't know, Heero. He seems to space out at the weirdest times, like he's not even aware that he's in school. There's something about him. He is my friend, but..." Duo felt almost guilty, talking about his friend behind his back. He'd only just found Ryo again, after all, but it was odd. Of coarse, the way he kept staring at Heero meant that maybe he had a crush on Duo's koi. Old friend or not, that would not be tolerated! "He's my friend, Heero. I'm sure he's not going to cause us any trouble."
Ryo walked away from where most of the students sat outside eating and talking to just at the wall that surrounded the school. He leaned against the wall with his hands in the pockets of his jeans and stared at Heero from across the yard. His gaze was intense, though he seemed to try not to be noticed, as he half way hid his eyes under his hair.
There was something about Ryo, something they couldn't define and it bothered them both. Heero didn't quite agree with Duo's assessment, but Ryo had done nothing wrong and there were no orders to do anything about him, so Heero would leave the boy alone, for now. It was unspoken that they would watch and see what they could learn, if anything.
For almost ten minutes, Ryo stood completely still just staring. Duo was getting impatient for something to happen and rather wishing that Ryo wouldn't stare at Heero, when a head appeared over the wall. It was a blue haired boy and he looked down at Ryo before smiling and saying something.
Both Duo and Heero were instantly alert when Ryo looked up and replied to the boy on the wall with a smile. It was unusual, to say the least. Especially when the blue haired boy climbed onto the wall and helped another boy with brown hair up next to him. Finally, the two of them reached down and pulled a large, muscular boy up. All three looked down at the smiling Ryo.
"Maybe we should get a little closer?" Duo suggested, but Heero was all ready sneaking closer to the four boys, hiding behind trees. Duo rolled his eyes. "Just once, I wish you'd wait for me."
Ryo-
I knew they were watching me, but then Touma shouted from over my head and I looked up at him. "Hey, Ryo! We thought you could use a little company."
I can't help but smile up at him. "Come on down." So what if the others thought it was odd? There's no rule I know of that says kids can't sneak into school. "You guys got here fast." They must have put on their armor and run from the other schools.
"Just a minute, I need to help the others." Touma pulled Shin up, while Shu pushed from the other side of the wall, and together, the smaller boys pulled Shu up. Everyone smiled at me and then jumped down. In reality, none of them needed to be helped climbing something as simple as a fence, but they really didn't want anyone to find out about their powers. I was more than pleased to see friendly faces.
"Hey, guys. Where's Seiji?" I asked.
"He's scouting around the school. Says that he wants to be prepared, just in case something happens." Shu said. "You know him, can't let up his guard for a minute. He thought that if we were all coming for a visit, then he would keep an eye out for the enemy."
That was typical of Seiji, he was very much into duty and he was very sensible.
"I think it's pretty obvious that Duo's one of the Others we're supposed to keep an eye on." Touma said. "That braid's fairly original and it was one of the concrete thing that Nasty remembered from her dream."
My face fell. "I was hoping it wasn't him. But I think his friend Heero might be another. Nasty said something about a guy with an icy face, right? You should see Heero. I've never seen anyone so cold. Besides, he feels...different."
Shin asked, "Do you think Arago will try to kill them?" He hated fighting more than any of them, but he was more than willing to help, especially when there were innocent lives at stake.
Shu shook his head. "Naw. Why'd he wait all this time?"
"I agree with Shu." Touma said. "Perhaps he wants to recruit them and bring them to the Nether Realms. It could be possible that he wants the Ma-Sho to train the two of them until one of the armors becomes, shall we say, available."
Duo-
What are they talking about? I don't dare ask Heero, as we're so close to these people. Heero's watching them with the same impassive face as usual, but his hands are clenched tightly, making his knuckles turn white. It's something most people wouldn't notice, but I've been with him for a long time. Heero's worried.
I also wonder who Arago is, but he must be working for OZ. Who else would want Heero and I? Dead or recruited, that's what they said. But, why would Ryo be mixed up in all that? He was never one for fighting, so what would ever possess him to join OZ? I think that the old man he'd run away with has something to do with this.
We kept listening and heard, "I still think we should be in there with you, Ryo." This was from the boy dressed in orange. "If the school is attacked, we want to be with you. Every second we waste running to get here might make all the difference."
Ryo slapped his friend on the shoulder. "I appreciate it, Shu, but it's better if we stick to Nasty's plan. I'll stay in the school and you surround it. If Ma-Sho attack, it'll be better to take them by surprise. If they think I'm the only one here, then they won't be so well prepared." He paused a moment. "Maybe we can save Duo and Heero. At all costs we can't let the others get them."
I have to admit, but now I'm starting to get worried. Not only about Heero, but about what Ryo seems to have gotten mixed up in. What did that old monk train him to do? Was it anything like the doctors and how they trained us to be Gundam pilots?
"By the way," Another one asked. "Who are they? Just in case we have to recognize them."
Ryo turned and looked to where we'd been standing a moment ago and frowned. "They're gone." With a sigh he looked at his friends. "Sorry, I'll have to track them down."
They all said good bye to Ryo with a hug for good luck and then helped each other over the wall.
Heero, after the last had left, motioned for me to follow him away from Ryo. We went a distance away from him again, leaving him alone at the wall for just a moment, before he started to search the schoolyard.
"What do you think?" I asked Heero. If it were me, I'd want to get Ryo to talk and spill the beans about what was going on, but I didn't to scare Ryo to badly. Heero usually had more drastic responses, but this time he surprised me.
"We wait and watch."
"Really? That's not like you."
Heero almost smiled. "I want to know what's going on. I want to know who Arago is."
Continued...
Please remember to review. I keep writing with more review.