I'm not dead and I'm not giving up on fanfiction! Hehe…Anyways, I fixed the formatting on this chapter, because all three times I uploaded it onto the paragraphs clumped together and it was hard to read. I've changed the ending of the chapter a bit to make it not so rushed, and added a little bit more details, specifically to Rei and Heero. It's still short, but…sweet.
Thoughts are in italics, except in the flashback. Those thoughts will be '' . flashback is in and italics.
Banishment
Chapter Three: Settled
Revised 8-10-06
Rei settled into the small household very quickly. The four boys had bought a house and paid for it on their own, even though Rei was shocked to find out that Quatre was heir to a billion dollar company. According to Duo, who had designated himself her personal guide: "We just want a normal life. With the exception of decorating and clothing and going out, we pay for it ourselves." They had bought a five-bedroom house, having originally planned for a fifth roommate. However, he had gone back to the circus when his friend became ill. Therefore Rei got the extra room. Even a week after it had happened, the memory of that conversation made her smile.
Flashback
"Really, I'll be fine. I'll find a hotel or something. Maybe a homeless shelter until I get back on my feet." Rei persisted.
"Absolutely not." Duo argued. "No friend of mine is gonna live in a homeless shelter when we have room."
At the same time, Quatre offered "Then at least let me give you some money."
Rei shook her head. "It wouldn't feel right for me to-" She stopped and stared at Duo. "Did…did you just call me your 'friend'?" Duo grinned.
"Of course I did babe."
'They've only known me for a few days, but they trust me. And they think of me as their friend.' Rei grinned. "On one condition."
"Name it." Rei was beginning to think that Duo was the boys' spokesman.
"I'm going to get a job." Quatre started to protest, but Rei held up a hand. "I'm not a guest. I won't be a freeloader. I won't change this." Quatre nodded, although she knew it was just to placate her. As long as he agreed. After all, she would have plenty of time to figure out how to get him to accept the money.
"Yeah! Now we finally have a pretty girl with us!" Rei giggled. 'I feel sorry for him…having to live with a bunch of guys must be hard for someone as flirty as him.' Unbidden, the image of him flirting with Heero came to mind.
"Welcome Ms. Hino." Quatre greeted. Rei had a feeling she'd be able to get him to call her by her first name when he accepted money from her…
"Oh great. A weak onna staying with us." Rei narrowed her eyes. 'Just 10 minutes alone with you, me with high heels…that's all I ask.'
"Hn." Was all that Heero said. She raised an eyebrow, thinking that was the most repeated word—well, sound—that he said to anyone, especially her.
End Flashback
The next morning Rei woke up early. Today was the day that she was going to redecorate her room. Right now it was a blah brownish-yellow and with boring everything. As she got up and put on her clean clothes-they were extras of the guys, because she had no others-she smelled bacon. Even though she didn't like bacon, it meant that Quatre was up. She knew that because if it was Duo, then she'd smell smoke and hear lots of shouting, and Wufei and Heero wouldn't cook. Rei gave her hair a quick brushing before bounding down into the kitchen. She paused in the doorway, staring at her new friends. Kami, they remind me of the scouts. Duo is just like Mina-chan, bubbly and air headed, but underneath is very caring and both have good intentions. Quatre and Ami both are levelheaded and sweet. Both are also shy. Wufei reminds me of Makoto. He has Makoto's strong sense of righteousness and purpose. Here she paused, a rueful grin tugging at her lips. Although, I would hate for them to meet...that'd be an interesting fight, though. And Heero, kami, he doesn't remind me of anyone. He is not like anyone I've ever met. He's different. Kami, I've got to stop thinking of my friends. She took the only open seat, between Wufei and Heero. "Hey guys." Quatre turned around. Rei took one look at his face and new something was wrong. "What's wrong Quatre-san?"
"Rei, I was going to take you to the city today, but my sister had a surgery and I have to go see her. It's a day-long trip there and back. I won't be able to take you into the city. I'm sorry. I really am." Rei's excitement dimmed. She sat down dully. Then she brightened. "Duo, could you take me?" He shook his head regrettably.
"Sorry babe. I have to work."
Rei nodded sadly. "I was so looking forward to it. It would have been so nice." It would've taken my mind off my friends. Shimatta. Unknowingly, her eyes had grown sad and withdrawn and she was absent-mindedly swishing her tea. Duo, Quatre, and even Wufei—although he might have been eyeing her toast—looked at her in concern.
"I'll take you." Everyone whipped their heads around and stared at the voice. Heero calmly met all their gazes, then nonchalantly ate his grits and sipped his water. In essence, he was the quintessential example of composure.
In the warped brain of Heero Yuy, he was as startled as the others. Why did I do that? All I know is I must not let her be unhappy—wait, where the hell did that come from? I DON'T think things like that! Kuso. Can't back out now.
"Do…do you mean that Heero?" Rei's big violet eyes filled with hope. Heero made the mistake of looking at them.
"…Yes. I will take you into town."
Rei's eyes sparkled with happiness. "Thank you."
Duo discretely grinned behind his milk cup. Then, just as suddenly, he stopped. Flashes of Rei in a dress skirt, fighting with a fiery arrow, kissing Heero, popped into his mind. What the… He narrowly caught the piece of sausage being thrown at his head before it hit him.
"Stop looking constipated and finish your food."
Duo smirked at the Chinese ex-pilot. "Aw, Wufei, I didn't think you noticed my bowel movements." As Wufei sputtered incoherent threats, Duo bit into the sausage and contemplated the fact that he, quite possibly, might be going insane.
