A Pull upon a Thread
Title: A Pull upon a Thread
Chapter: A Trip Down Memory Lane
Disclaimer: I do not own anything in this fanfiction.
Beta: Standingontherooftops, Amanda and Heartless-and-Suicidal
Pairings: 3x4 2xH mention of 6xN, 1xR and 5xS
Warning: Lemon, lime, violence, use of strong language and adult themes.
Summary: Duo has been assigned a mission that is very dangerous and will put his loved ones at risk. Duo asks if Hilde will stay with Trowa and Quatre just to put his mind at ease. But when Duo doesn't come back from the mission Hilde and Quatre start to worry. Duo couldn't have disappeared at a worse time.
Flower Café – Brussels
12:30PM April 12th A.C. 198
"So what else did they say about this person?" Heero asked lowering his cup of coffee on to the small glass top table.
Both Heero and Wufei had decided to eat lunch at the café across the street from the Preventers HQ. It was a nice spring day, the sun was shining, the birds were singing and everyone was enjoying themselves. Also the food at the café was much better than anything in the Preventers kitchen, even Quatre's cooking was better and that was guaranteed to be burnt.
"Not much," Wufei stated as he finished his lunch. "All they could find is that this person has a history of family being in armies. Her father was in OZ and killed in battle by one of us." Wufei watches as Heero fixed his eyes on him as he spoke the last sentence. She could be out for revenge but that remains the question how she could have known the identity of the Gundam pilots it's impossible.
Heero sighed and watched as a little girl and her dog walked past the café window laughing and giggling as her dog happily barked. Heero gave a small smile towards her as she waved to him through the café window before skipping off. Heero turned back to Wufei who was sipping his coffee. Heero's mind drifted to Hilde's assassin, according to HQ the woman was only 21 when she had died. That was quite young for an assassin; however Duo said her equipment was far from high tech. Just a few basic guns and mini flash bangs, nothing to extravagant for anyone out to murder someone.
"Well, well. Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?"
Heero and Wufei both turned to see a young female standing next to them. Heero's eye scanned over her quickly as the girl smiled brightly at them. Her hair was as dark as a raven's feather and cascaded around her like a waterfall in a paradise so far away. Her skin was a slight olive colour, most definitely Asian heritage. She was very lean with nice subtle curves concealed slightly by her clothes. Heero looked at her again and noticed she was about 5 foot 5 and was certainly no older than him or the other Gundam Pilots were. Heero frowned as he looked at her. He had never seen this girl before so she must have been referring to Wufei.
"Nice to see you again Yamoto, Kazumi," Wufei spoke as he looked up at the girl with a respectful nod. He then turned his body towards Heero. "This is Yuy, Heero a colleague of mine." Kazumi gave a small bow to Heero.
"Nice to meet you," she said with a smooth American accent. She turned back to Wufei and smiled brighter than before. There was a cheeky, flirtatious gleam in her eye that Heero didn't fail to notice. "I'm guessing your mission went well did it?" She asked softly to Wufei. Was she a Preventer Agent or something Heero thought? If she was she must have been from another American branch because Heero never seen her before.
"No not exactly Yamoto," Wufei stated and took a sip of his coffee. "What are you doing here anyway? Aren't you supposed to be studying in Sanc University already?" Wufei looked up at her cocking an eye brow in wonder at why the girl was here.
Kazumi gave a small laugh as she heard Wufei's question. "Don't go flattering yourself in thinking I'm a stalker Wufei." She smiled sweetly at him, almost affectionately Heero noticed. "I'm here visiting my father. I'm heading home to Sanc tonight." She tucked her long hair behind her ear out of her face. "If you're ever back in Sanc Wufei give me a call. I'd love to hear from you again."
Wufei folded his arms over his chest, leaned back in his chair and gave a small grunt as if to say you wish. Kazumi however somehow must have seen through Wufei's defence. "I have to go but I'll see you soon okay." She then turned to Heero and bowed again. "It was nice to meet you Heero."
With that she walked out of the shop with her warm drink in hand. Heero watched through the window as the young girl got in to a teal blue Mustang and drove off. Heero turned his gaze back to Wufei who seemed to be ignoring what had just happened by sipping his drink and reading the work papers in front of him. Heero frowned; he had never seen Wufei act like that around a girl before.
"Who was she?" Heero asked bluntly looking at his partner directly. Wufei gazed up from the work noticing Heero's inquisitive tone. Wufei wasn't sure if he should say much about Kazumi or why he knew her, just a simple explanation would do Heero; he hopped. Wufei stared into Heero's eyes for a second before answering.
"We met last time I was in Sanc," Wufei admitted to Heero. Wufei looked out the window and then back to Heero. "She means nothing to me." Wufei stated rudely and turned back to the papers in front of him.
"You know it's alright to live by your emotions," Heero commented generally. Heero knew that Wufei was bottling up his emotions. Heero knew that no one could replace Nataku in Wufei's heart but he had to let go of her death and live his life a little.
Wufei didn't even look up at Heero. His eyes remained on the papers as he replied, "she is nothing to me."
Sanc Kingdom – Sea Side Café
09:30 AM February 8th A.C.198
Wufei walked into the small café after a long night of working as a body guard for the precious, yet spoilt Relena Peacecraft. Wufei sighed as he waited in the cue for a boost of caffeine before he left for home. He tried so hard to get Relena out of his head. She had annoyed him all yesterday evening and in the early hours of this morning. Wufei sometimes wondered what Heero saw in that girl sometimes. Wufei shook his head as he heard the bell above the door open once again and a person stand behind him. Wufei didn't bother to look out of the corner of his eye to see who it was. Since the war that had become a habit of his because of OZ however he couldn't be bothered to because he was too damn tired. He sighed again and told himself, only two more days to go.
Wufei quickly ordered his drink as his eyes started to become heavy after the long night of taking guard duty. The clerk placed the cup on the counter in front of Wufei and he nodded his thanks. Wufei turned around to walk away when he hit the person behind him. Wufei and the other person fell to the ground with Wufei's coffee spilling all over them and giving a generous burn to Wufei's wrist in particular. Wufei groaned as he saw the person sit up and look at him.
"Unko! Gomenasai!" The female stated in a perfect Japanese accent. Wufei looked up to see a young girl no older than him there. She brushed herself off then helped Wufei up, not that he really needed it. He turned to her and saw worry in her eyes. "Daijobu desu ka?"[1]
"Yes I'm alright thank you," Wufei replied in English. The girl looked up at him and then at the slightly burnt wrist. She looked at it and saw his skin was raw and turn a dark red. She turned to the counter and instead of ordering she asked for a bag of ice. She then turned back to Wufei and stepped out of the cue. She took a look at his wrist which Wufei felt extremely uncomfortable with. After a minute or so a staff member came back with a bag of ice and handed it to the girl. She said thank you and turned to Wufei.
"Here please sit down," she said softly with still a hint of worry. Wufei sat down close to the count at a small round table. The girl sat opposite him and placed his burnt wrist on the table, she then gently placed the bag on top of the burn so it just about touched his skin. Wufei winced as the already throbbing pain got worse. The girl gave a little sigh. "I'm so sorry about that." She said with a soft American accent. It had surprised him being use to Dou's strong one. Also he was surprised at how well she has spoken Japanese if she could speak English as a first language.
"It's alright," Wufei said again. What was wrong with him? Usually if anyone did this to him – even a doctor he would be pushing them away but he did nothing to this girl at all but talk. "It was my fault I should have watched where I was going." Wufei said trying to hold the peace with her.
"No it was mine," she stated as her hazel eyes glanced up at him. She smiled softly. "Please forgive me I've been up all night and am not quite with it." Snap, though Wufei. She smiled softly again and then placed the ice bag on the table. "You should be alright. It isn't blistering so that's good." She then gave a small bow of her head. "My name is Yamoto Kazumi," she said softly as she raised her head. Wufei was interested, she had evidentially been brought up in a traditional family, or there about.
Wufei bowed his head. "I am Chang Wufei of the Dragon Clan," Wufei hated having to say the whole title but it was another unfortunate habit he had picked up on. Wufei noticed that as soon as those worlds left his lips Kazumi's eyes lit up and a bright smile appeared on her face.
"You're a colony boy aren't you?" She said it in a knowing way which once again surprised Wufei. Kazumi gave a small giggle. "It's alright I'm not a stalker or anything. I'm actually learning modern history which account for the creation of the colonies to the creation of the Gundams." Wufei wanted to see the look on her face as she said the word 'Gundam'; however the reaction he got was not what he had expected. Usually people would have a face of disgust or disappointment as they said it however there was no negative look on her face. It seemed this girl was full of surprises for him. "I'm studying at Sanc University," she added. "Are you studying around here?"
Sanc Kingdom – Sanc University
12:30PM – April 19th A.C.198
Mrs Holly stood up from behind her desk after filling in her report. She sighed and turned to the clock on the wall and then back to her desk. She gave a soft smile at the picture of her Grandfather, cousin and self that she always kept with her. Three years ago today it happened it seemed like only yesterday that his death had been etched into her heart. Mrs Holly looked up from the picture as she heard a knock on the door to her office. The squeaky door opened and there stood her baby cousin Sylvia. She smiled softly as she saw Sylvia dressed in a small black dress. Every year she'd wear black on this day and Mrs Holly knew why.
"Hello Sylvia." She said softly grabbing her coat and placing it over her thin body.
"You ready to go Jane?" Sylvia asked meekly as she stood in the door way. Jane nodded grabbing her back and walking out the door with her baby cousin. There was a special place they needed to go to and Jane hopped that that boy would be there like last time.
Italy – L'Angel Hotel
13:00PM – April 19th A.C.198
Quatre moaned softly as Trowa's lips covered his in passionate kisses. They were only now getting up after a long night of love making and celebration. Quatre had loved the whole night he had spent with Trowa – not that he didn't hate anytime he spent with him. Trowa pulled away and nuzzled noses with him and smiled sweetly at him. Quatre knew he was the only one who could make Trowa smile like that and he was proud of it.
"What you thinking little one?" Trowa asked softly as he wrapped his arms around Quatre's waist. Quatre cuddled into Trowa's embrace and sighed happily.
"About our first date," Quatre replied and kisses Trowa's chest. "Do you remember?"
Trowa nodded as he remembered their first date. Just seeing Quatre so peaceful and calm was nice. And without the war it made everything even more special to Trowa. He loved Quatre with all his heart and with every date he tried to treat Quatre like a Prince. Trowa gave a small grin he still did that today. How he wished those days could be every day. To see Quatre smiling non-stop all day; where Triton and Mr Winner didn't exist. Trowa kissed Quatre's head and smiled at him and caressed Quatre's face. Quatre leaned into the touch and let out a small moan.
"Yes." Trowa replied softly and kisses Quatre again. "That day we spent in the Sanc gardens after the Mariamaia incident." Trowa held Quatre close how he softly recalled every detail he remembered about the day. "It was spring and we had a pick nick in the gardens. You wore that baby blue shirt that makes your eyes look brighter. You never once stopped smiling and laughed when a butterfly landed on your nose. At sunset we went down to the beach and sat on the sand. You had a water lily in your hair as we sat along the beach. You got it from the little water fountain and said how much you loved the pure white one." Quatre's eyes sparkled as he listened to Trowa, not ever making a sound. "We spoke about our lives and what we wished to accomplish. You wanted to have a normal life, to love and get kisses by that love; to wake up every morning next to that person. Next to me! We kissed softly as the tide gently lapped at our feet. We never wanted to leave that spot but we had to because our clothes got soaked from the sea." Quatre smiled and kissed Trowa's lips softly and whispered.
"You believe that to be our first date?" Quatre asked and looked into Trowa's emerald eyes. Trowa nodded at him softly and nuzzled his neck. "Our first date was way before that love… In San Francisco…"
San Francisco –Stanley Hotel
10:45PM – May 18th A.C.198
Quatre sat down on the bed after traveling for most of the night. Even though it was very late he did not feel tired just yet. Quatre turned to his roommate who stood out on the balcony getting some air; like they hadn't had enough while they were on the boat. Quatre had noticed that Trowa had been out there for a good ten minutes, maybe he should ask Trowa to come back in so he could get some rest. As Quatre went to get up to see him, Trowa walked back into the room and shut the balcony door. Trowa looked at Quatre and Quatre could see the emptiness inside the tall pilot. Quatre felt disheartened by the fact that this pilot seemed to feel nothing at all, not from outlook or from his empathy. Quatre sighed as he dropped his bag on the floor, however to his luck everything fell out of it including his games and books. Quatre bent down to pick them up and noticed how Trowa immediately went to help him. After cleaning everything Quatre thanked him and saw the deck of cards which now rested in Trowa's hand. Quatre looked up at Trowa and saw him about to speak.
"You play?" Trowa asked softly. Quatre was puzzled. Who didn't know how to play cards? Quatre nodded and placed his bag on the small table opposite the bed. He then turned back to see Trowa sitting on the bed where Quatre himself had been moments ago. "Will you play with me?" Quatre suddenly felt a strange feeling over him. No one had ever asked him to play in that way. There was a sad, almost lonely tone to the way Trowa had asked him. Quatre wondered if Trowa had ever played a game with a friend or even anyone before. Could it be that they were both so different that they actually attracted to each other. Quatre slowly walked over to the bed and sat next to Trowa and smiled softly at the taller youth.
"What do you want to play?"
After about two hours of playing card games and talking non-stop about their lives Quatre had gained a lot of respect for Trowa and felt his heart sympathise with the young pilot. Something about Trowa made Quatre want to love him with all his heart. And Quatre had to admit to himself that he was starting to feel affection for Trowa. Something Quatre had never quite experienced before. In return for talking about his past Trowa had asked that Quatre explained his. Some feelings he got from Trowa where envious which he didn't like and some were of pity. However Quatre didn't miss that Trowa also had a feeling deep down in him which he could not explain. After only two hours Trowa had been willing to let Quatre touch and hold him and now rest upon him as he explained to Trowa how to use the video game that Quatre had brought with him for entertainment. Quatre gave a small yawn as he saw the time on the clock. Trowa didn't fail to notice and placed the game down and held Quatre.
"We should get some sleep." Trowa stated stoically as he reached for the light. "It will be a long day tomorrow."
L2 – Duo's Scrap Yard
11:00AM December 31st A.C. 196
Duo walked slowly down the street after leaving the port and his shuttle from Earth. He had quietly said his good byes to Quatre and Trowa and had boarded the shuttle to L2. There was a special little lady he had to go and see he also had a promise to her to keep. Duo felt slightly sad for leaving his closest friends on earth after destroying their greatest allies. The Gundams…. Duo sighed as he thought about his buddy but Quatre was right we didn't need the Gundams anymore. Hopefully no mobile suit would ever have to be used again. Duo smiled softly as remembered his last conversation with Trowa and Quatre. They would be seeing each other soon but he wondered where Wufei had gone off to. Heero obviously was in the Preventers recovery room with Relena most likely sitting next to him. But where would Wufei go? Would he ever destroy his Gundam? Duo sighed and looked up to see he was finally at the scrap yard. He put a smile on his face and walked through the door.
"Yo Hilde I'm home." Duo called out as he shut the door. Suddenly there was a loud crash coming from the kitchen and a squeal. Duo winced as he heard the noise but couldn't help but let a chuckle out as well. Duo lowered his bag as Hilde came running into the room and threw herself to him and called out his name. Duo wrapped his arms around the petit girl and gave a small chuckle as she immediately cuddled into him.
"I missed you so much Duo," Hilde said as she hugged him tightly. She smiled up at him and gave him a peck on the lips. Duo smiled and nuzzled noses with her and smiled at her. Hilde noticed that Duo's smile was different; he was upset about something which she couldn't quite figure out. "What's wrong love?" She asked softly and caressed Duo's face. Duo smiled again at her.
"We destroyed the Gundams." That was all Hilde needed to know to understand why Duo was upset. She gave him a sympathetic look and held his hands.
"I'm sorry Duo," Hilde said to him. "I know how important Deathscythe was to you." She gave him another soft kiss and smiled. "But even without Deathscythe your still Duo, you're still the God of Death unless you don't want to be. I'll always be here Duo I'm not going anywhere love." Hilde smiled at him as he embraced her. Duo loved her so much and loved how she always tried to cheer him up. Hilde then jumped away from him and grabbed his hand. "I have something to show you." Hilde dragged Duo in to her small study where she usually painted and they were so amazing. Duo had begged Hilde to paint something for him but knew she would need time.
Duo frowned as he saw her canvas was covered by a white sheet with all speckles and dots from her paint. She ran over to the canvas and pulled off the sheet. Duo gasped as he looked at the painting. He couldn't believe his eyes. Hilde had drawn an amazing picture of Deathscythe. Duo was so amazed. Hilde had drawn every detail Duo could remember on Deathscythe right down to the green eyes that use to flash right before he'd go into battle. The wings where spread out wide with the Scythe held in his hand as if he were the Grim Reaper. The body work was up straight and standing proud. In the back ground was a full moon with all the detail of the craters and everything. Duo couldn't believe it and then there was a dark glow around Deathscythe that made him look extremely powerful.
Duo walked over to Hilde and gave her the most passionate kiss he could give to anyone. He pulled back and smiled brightly at her. "You are the most amazing person ever Hilde." He kissed her cheek. "I love you so much. I don't need to be the God of Death as long as you're by my side." Hilde smiled brightly at him and gave him a hug. She cuddled into him close and said a million times how much she loved him.
Sanc Kingdom – Hero Memorial
13:00PM – April 19th A.C. 198
Jane and Sylvia walked slowly through the memorial garden towards the graves on the Easter side of the garden for there lay a special grave stone to a person that had been very special to them. As they were close to reaching the place Sylvia stopped on the bench and took the flowers out of the wrapping. Sylvia looked up at Jane and smiled.
"I need to cut the flowers." Sylvia spoke softly. Jane nodded and knew that truly meant give me some time.
Jane continued to walk over to the grave. As she continued to walk she looked down at the white roses she held in her hand. She smiled remembering how much her grandfather loved these flowers. She sighed softly and looked up. There in front of the grave stood a young boy. Probably no older than Sylvia by what she saw. Jane slowly walked up to the boy and stopped a few feet behind him.
"You're here again," She uttered softly. The boy never once looked at her but nodded. Jane sighed. "You can't keep living in the past. It was not your fault." Jane walked over to the grave and knelt in front of the grave placing the roses on top before bowing her head and saying a little prayer. Not once did the boy make a sound or move. Jane turned to look at him and saw his blue eyes staring at the grave stone, most likely reading over the etched writing. Jane stood up and stood right next to him. She turned her head to him and back to the stone.
"It was three years ago now but it feel like it only happened yesterday," the boy spoke softly and bowed his head away from Jane's view. Jane pitied him for feeling this way. He had to live with the guilt and burden of killing an innocent man. Jane placed a hand on his shoulder however he did not move or look at her.
"Heero you were tricked you can never fully blame yourself for what happened." Jane spoke as a flock of birds flew overhead and the wind blew gently towards them. "I don't blame you anymore Heero." She smiled softly at him. "The fact that you came to all of our family and confessed I feel you are truly amazing to have done that." Heero didn't say a word back to Jane. He turned around and looked away from her.
"I must go." He said softly. "I doubt Sylvia will want to see me." Before Jane could reply Heero walked away from her with his head low and his body slightly slumped. Jane sighed at him and turned back to the grave and knelt down once again.
"Grandfather I do hope you have forgiven him to." Jane placed her hands together and whispered her words to the wind. "He deserves forgiveness. I just hope that one day he can forgive himself." Jane's mind wondered to the time when she would have to discuss the Gundam Pilots. She could only ever think of one thing for them.
The will of the colonies dissidents pull five young men into its fierce battle.
[1] Unko – Shit
Gomenasai – I'm sorry
Daijobu desu ka? – Are you alright?
Alright and that's the end of this chapter. If you're wondering why there was so little happening in this chapter it's because I needed to explain a few things about the characters. Hope you enjoyed this chapter and please comment.
