Gundam Wing Story

Like a rose:

Heero laid the rose on her breast carefully, the casket shown pure white in the summer light.

The young man felt his friend's hand on his shoulder, leading him away to the nearest pew as his

knees began to give away. The old hymn, Like a Rose, played in the background as Duo rubbed his

back as he cried against his friend's chest, gripping the man's black dress shirt tightly.

"Why did she have to die? Why did He have to have her?" he sobbed.

Duo eased his friend away, turning Heero's head towards the casket as the midday sun shown down

through the clear glass window. A cross with the silhouetted body of Christ shown in the center of the white

marble floor.

"Because He was done building her house in heaven, Heero, and I'm sure... it's just as beautiful as she is,"

whispered Duo through a hoarse throat. Heero's hands shook as he opened the Bible, remembering the

last day he had spent with her.

He stood in the sterile room with a white teddy bear in his arms, a present from Quatre. The teddy bear was holding a plastic

dove in it's paws, it's clear blue eyes shown innocently in the sunlight.

"Heero, the doctors said I won't make it past tonight... I want you to have something. I know you'll think

it's silly... but... I'm hoping it will help you," her voice trembled weakly as she reached for something under the light

cotton blankets.

A lock of her hair lay on the bedside stand, so that, in her last days she could remember herself

healthy and alive... before she had been diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 23.

She handed him a large plain hardcover black book, there was no print in the front or on the spine. He glanced over at her,

perplexed. The young man opened the book, surprised at how thin the pages were. On the first page were the words

Holy Bible. Heero smiled, placing the book in his bag. He wasn't sure when he would be able read it... or even if

he ever would. But hat night he opened the book for the first time.

Psalm 52:8

8 But I am like an olive tree

flourishing in the house of God;

I trust in God's unfailing love

forever and ever.

He remembered smiling bitterly at that, like anyone could really trust God's love after something like this.God had done this to

Relena, why should he listen to God now? He hadn't helped, hadn't loved him his whole life. Why should Heero, a man of war,

play into God's little game?

The young man ran his hand along the book gently, feeling a sudden calm as the tears in his eyes began to dry.

Something felt empty, a will begging to be carried out... he knew what he had to do now. If he wanted to see his wife again... he needed Jesus now.

Over the years, the other Gundam pilots had gone their seperate ways but they had managed to stay connected. They still got together for birthdays and

holidays, or just to hang out and recap on the events of their lives more recently... They had even had a get well party for Relena when they found out the

news.

Relena smiled up at him as he held her tiny hand in his, "I don't know what you think I will find in that book, and I don't know if I will ever read

it," he said as he stared into her dim blue eyes.

"You'll find what you need, not what you want, Heero," she said in a thin, frail voice. Her body trembled as she coughed violently,

turning away from him as she curled up into a ball. She moaned in pain, clutching her breast through the thin hospital gown as she sobbed. He hated

seeing her like this, had often thought of just putting a bullet in her head while she slept... just to end the pain. But he knew that if he did that, her memory

would haunt him forever. He wanted some comfort even if it was just knowing she died fighting for what she believed in. Even if science had prevailed in

the battles of evolution and the church had dwindled down to little shelters and tiny santuaries for nuns and preists and monks. She still believed the stories

from the Bible.

Heero listened to her words closely as she explained what Christ had done, the miracles he had performed. She had called it 'witnessing.' Had

told him what he should do if he decided to accept Christ as his Savior but Heero had brushed it off. He had stayed with her that night, had kissed her cheek

and she smiled weakly in her sleep.

The next morning Heero awoke the heart monitor beeping. He looked up at the machine, not believing what he was seeing. The flat green line... the

irratating buzz... no, it was a trick. It wasn't real... he had to call someone... to tell someone about this odd dream. Deep in his heart, though, he knew it was

not a dream. It was all real... Relena was dead.

"... Duo... I have to ask a favor of you now," whispered Heero.

"... Name it, Heero," he replied, wiping his eyes with a tissue.

"I want you to witness to me," choked out the young man. Yes, he was angry with God. And he had been in denial... God couldn't be real after so

much had been proven... but if He was, Heero wasn't taking that chance. And if being a believer was what it took to see Relena again, and to see Christ,

he would do just that.

"... Heero..." Duo's hands shook as he covered his face for a moment, "Alright, let's get started then."

Half an hour later, Heero sat in tears for the second time that day. He sobbed uncontrollably, the tears soaked his face.

"... I killed because it's what I was taught to do... but I never... thought anyone would be willing to die for me... just because He loved me, just

wanted to help me..." he sobbed.

"... Heero, are you willing to put your life into His hands now? Are you willing to start over, and take up the duties God has laid before you?"

asked Duo.

"I am, I want to do His will now," replied the young man, staring up at the cross over the alter.

"Then let's pray now," Duo's voice shook as he took his friend's hands in his, bowing his head. Heero hesitated for

a moment, but bowed his head as well.

"Heavenly Father, this young man has come to you in pain, asking for your healing touch and loving guidance. Lord, please,

accept him as he is now, a sinner who has repented of his sins. Father, we ask that You will touch his soul and heart now.

Comfort him as he struggles through this hard time, Lord lift him up and let him live for You, Your child and Your servant, forever and

ever. In Jesus' name we pray these things, Father, amen," Duo took a deep breath, hoping Heero hadn't heard his voice shaking.

Heero looked up, tears fell from his chin as Duo clapped him on the shoulder. Heero stared into Duo's eyes, wondering if he had been praying for

himself as well. He felt an almost terrifying calm begin to over take him... a strange peace.

He looked over at the shadow of the cross, his eyes widened in surprise for a moment. A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair stood by

Relena's casket. She wore a pretty knee-length silk night gown with butterfly sleeves, she was barefoot. The woman turned around, she smiled at Heero.

The young man stared at his wife in shock, his eyes were wide and his mouth hung slack. Relena winked at him, blowing a kiss to him before she walked

past the pews, dicipating like a fog. He smiled, knowing that he'd have a lot to work on now. But he would to it with God's help.

Three years later:

Pastor Maxwell smiled at his young brother, holding the cross that hung around his neck as he watched the children playing

in the fields with a simple woven straw ring. Heero had grown in faith a lot in this short time, his passion for Christ had sky rocketed and his love had

spread like a wildfire though-out the little village. The mission's project had been a success: To immunize and treat the sick orphaned

children of the wars past. Heero shrugged the sleeping boy he was piggy-backing into a more comfortable position on his back. Around the

young man's neck hung a black beaded crucifix and a pair of sun glasses.

"... Well, where to now, bro?" asked Duo. The young man looked over at his friend, smiling back at him.

"Where ever the Lord leads us, Duo," replied the ex-soldier, as he closed his eyes and tilted his head up to the sky as

a warm breeze brushed his face. And he praised the Lord for the blessings in his life. For his loving brother, for the children... and for

his loving Father in heaven. All was still and perfect now as the sun dipped behind the plains of Africa, the crickets chirping peacefully,

and Heero Yuy knew he had a home at last, in the arms of his Eternal Father, forever and ever.