Art, Geeks, and Dorms
April 29, 2011

The car ride to Kaisai was quiet. It was as quiet as the plane ride to Neo-Japan from the inner boundaries of Sanc's capital. As they boarded the extravagant tour bus waiting for them at the end of the exit, Wufei pondered about the tension that had gathered throughout the journey. Of course it wasn't necessarily his duty to break the tension or even fix anything but at the same time, it was strangely interesting to see it there. After all, what would have caused such a sudden break between Heero and Duo? For Trowa and Quatre, it was even more of a mystery.

Both pairs had been together for so long now it was quite awkward to see them act so coldly to each other. If he was asked to speak nothing but the truthful thoughts within him though, Wufei might find himself rather speechless and horrified by what he would say. It was all about his own innate selfishness. Even though Duo and Heero and Trowa and Quatre were no longer talking to each other –unless you called exchanging glares communication-, Heero and Trowa had kept him company. Wufei wanted to keep it, that sense of belonging and closeness to others. It might not be true –as what could he offer them that Quatre and Duo could not offer?- but the feeling of being. . . loved and remembered was tempting. If Trowa and Heero made up with Duo and Quatre respectively, wouldn't that meant a lonely end for him all over again?

Was it worth it? Should he do something right? Justice doesn't exist and neither does human compassion but it would be cruel of him to pretend as if nothing had happened and it was fine if Heero and Trowa lost their lovers over some spat. Wufei shook his head and sighed, looking out the window to his side. Even though the trees were all passing so quickly, it was obvious that spring was already coming. The sprigs of leaves from various parts of the passing branches were a bright healthy leafy green. The small buds were finally growing, taking up space and pushing away the melting ice.

Springtime, Wufei thought, was just a thing for those with a need for sentimental things. Yes he was quite taken by the simplistic beauty passing by him. There was a soft sigh coming from behind him. Wufei turned slightly but found that the empty bus seats kept him from getting a view of who was the one sighing. He looked to the window and the reflection easily showed the choppy brown locks that could only belong to that of Heero. But why would Heero be sighing? Ah, the answer was quite clear.

There was only one reason why straight poker-face Heero would be sighing as only one person has manage to actually get into him and past the soldier mask. He must be thinking about Duo. Wufei turned to his right, peeking over the little gap the two seats had. There, he could see a bit of Duo. The braided American was slouched over in his seat, a simple baseball cap pulled down over his eyes. Even though he looked as if he was sleeping, the obvious tensed muscles and slight twitch every time the bus hit a bit of uneven ground proved that he was anything but relaxed and asleep. Wufei turned back to look at Heero. The Chinese man felt a twitch of sadness but also understood that he should do something.

Justice did not come with time. In order to have Justice or even to believe in it, one must be a man. To be a man, one must also take Justice into their own hands and consideration. He needed to help them. After all, it would be cruel to leave things as it is. Both Duo and Heero were stubborn individuals. Being stubborn may have helped them survive in the war but in terms of a relationship, stubbornness can hurt more than it can help. Meiran taught him that quite early in his life.

Wufei closed his eyes. He wondered about Trowa. Was the auburn-haired man also rethinking about his actions and the coldness at his side? Surely he must be worried about Quatre for the blond had not even bothered to look at him any more than needed. And though he wish to look over to see how Trowa was doing, the man was sitting too far in the back for him to do anything without making a show or a fool of himself. One brown hue open to glance to the front while Wufei moved to tilt his body to the side slightly. Quatre was sitting close to Duo and the blond's face was obviously in a state of uncertainty.

In other words, Quatre was moping. With Quatre so far away from Trowa, no doubt the Heavyarms' pilot was showing a similar downfallen expression like that of Heero's. There was a Chinese expression saying that one should not do onto others what one does not want done to them. Wufei knew how much it hurt to be alone and to know that there is very little in the future to look forward to and he was someone who was always shrouded in loneliness with many companions but few close enough to truly know him as he who he was.

It would be unfair for Heero and Trowa to have their own happiness taken away just because of Wufei's desire to get away from reality. "Alright boys, we are almost there! I am so excited to know that we have interested and well-rounded students coming from overseas to Kaisai!"

This guy, Wufei thought to himself, was a bit flamboyant and happy. Did the school pay him for such a dumb energetic act?

Naturally, the bus came with a teacher or some sort of guide to Kaisai International Academy. So far the man hadn't said anything except the first 'hello, how are you, welcome'. To hear the man speak was a bit startling especially when Wufei had his heads up in some rather dark clouds. There was a sound of three claps and Wufei straightened up, looking to the front of the bus with a hint of curiosity. The guide or teacher was dressed simple with an oversized t-shirt etched with the words 'guide!' and slacks. He was, if Wufei was to assume it, their current link to inside information.

"While there are quite a few things that we might miss because of our limited time today, I am still sure you will all get a good tour of our school."

Everyone in the bus, other than the happy-go-lucky teacher, nodded without much energy. Trowa and Heero especially looked detached from the situation and already tired emotionally. Wufei sighed softly. If only there was some sort of way to get everyone back to normal. Even thinking logically, it was not a good idea to just pretend nothing had happened. This was a bad way to start a mission and no doubt, nothing good would come out of it if it continued.

"I'm afraid though," the guide continued without much a care in the world, "that we have to split everyone up into three groups."

As everyone absorbed the spoken information, things started changing. If the atmosphere from before had been a ice-cold winter snowstorm then the current atmosphere was that of a pit of hell. The change in expression of the five young men changed like lightning. Duo and Quatre immediately looked like a mix of enraged and disgruntlement. Heero had simply kept his gaze out the window and away from the front of the room.

This may actually be a rather good way to fix everything. Though, the questions would be how everyone would be split up. Would the five be specifically set apart or could they pick? Trowa spoke up from behind, thoughts in sync with that of Wufei.

"How will the groups be split?"

There was the sound of a few mumbles and whispers from the front specifically from where Duo and Quatre were. The whispers were along the lines of "why, do you have a problem with partnering with someone specific or something?" There was then a resounding grunt, louder than the whisper. Most likely, it was Duo vocalizing his pain from his blond seat partner's elbow digging into his side. Heero grumbled from behind Wufei and if Wufei really wanted to think about what the Japanese man was saying behind the single monosyllabic sound, he would say Heero was answering Duo's rhetorical question with an affirmative.

The guide looked uncertain for a moment, looking over the five heads in the various seats before him. Then he shrugged and snapped back into a mask of complete sunshine.

"Well, since we are all going to be in different programs –as the roster says!-, the school decided for this tour that you will all be separated by program choice and location."

Wufei nodded to himself thinking that it made sense. This would definitely mean that he was off by himself and that the other four would be split into two groups. "The Business and Computer majors will go together to tour the computer labs and hear a few introductions by the major companies Kaisai has contracts with."

Heero snorted.

"The Art and Music majors will be doing the same but taking the tour of the school's own museum and then the Art department. If I say so myself, the Art and Music department has a wonderful assembly of instruments and media for students to try and explore unlike many of the other academies."

The guide nodded to himself. "I'm afraid that since the English program has more specific guidelines to follow in terms of the projects, Mr. . .ah, Chang, will be by himself."

Wufei found nothing with the idea. After all, touring the school by himself would be much more pleasant than waiting around and simply staring off into space during a boring lecture or presentation. There was a specific reason why the Chinese man had chose to stay with the literature department rather than going toward one of the other subjects like art and music.

"But not to worry, Brandon! You will have your own guide and he will be a fellow senior in the same English program that you have decided on taking."

So it seemed that he wouldn't be alone after all. It was a bit of a disappointment since he really doubted he would enjoy himself with even the company of another student. He rather hoped to stay to the shadows during his time in Kaisai rather than in the spotlight. That was what the group had agreed altogether earlier though the words were themselves unspoken. Surely, no one would expect him to be taking a place in the 'popular' clique any time soon.

"Is there a particular reason why we cannot tour the school together as a single group? We are going to be going through the same departments and major areas."

The last part was not a question but rather a statement. Heero's eyes flashed angrily at the guide and his lips thinned and tilted downwards into his uncanny but alas, still common frown.

The guide stumbled on his words, flustered by this idea that anyone would be against splitting up for a tour. Wufei heard the scoff from behind. The guide no doubt thought that all five of them did not know each other or if they did, were not together before coming into the school. The backgrounds sent to the all said that each of them had their own pasts from places that were quite far away. Luckily, the guide did not seem to be someone who was paranoid enough to ask for another check for Heero. But it would be best to ease the awkwardness a bit. Wufei didn't want to take the chance of something to go wrong.

"I think it is a good idea. If anything, this will allow us to get a wider idea of what will be offered to all of us." Wufei sighed before giving a light nod to the guide. The man nodded happily at the interruption. The bus moved to a slow, making it obvious that the group had arrived at their new home for the next few months.

"And we have arrived! Mr. Chang, your guide should be already waiting outside for you so please enjoy yourself!"

Wufei nodded quietly before picking up his backpack which was packed lightly with some things he couldn't trust to send over. The dark haired Preventer moved to get off the bus. However, when he dropped down, there was no guide before him. In fact, there was no one around at all. Heero's expression was akin to surprise when he left the bus and found himself staring at a rather confused looking Wufei.

"I thought you had a guide," the Japanese man spoke. There was a frown on his lips. Wufei shrugged lightly. "I had thought the same. Perhaps he is late or sick." Trowa jumped into the conversation, his own lips tilting downwards into an annoyed frown. "It shouldn't matter," the taller of the three shook his head before continuing, "There should have been a call before hand anyways. I think you should come with us."

Heero looked around, eying the bushes and the trees for any sign of hidden people. Duo and Quatre along with the guide on the bus sent all three of them a look but it was the guide who noticed the initial problem. "Where is Sanders? He's suppose to be here by now!" The guide shook his head and pulled out his phone to send a call to Sanders. The phone did not pick up and the second attempt at reaching the missing guide through the use of the academy's pager system was equally futile. The guide sighed.

"I'm sorry Mr. Chang. I'm afraid you might not be able to get your major specified tour today. You are always free to join us on our tour however."

Wufei shook his head with a small wry smile. If he did join them, no doubt things would get worse. He had caused enough problems. The least he could do was let them work it out themselves. "I'll be alright. Please just tell me where my room and dorm is. I should be able to get there by myself," Wufei said. The guide looked rather uncomfortable with the idea of letting a new student wander about by himself but figured it couldn't be too bad. The guide then pointed to some of the smaller buildings hidden by a few groups of trees. One of the buildings was the shade of a bright blue. That, the guide said, would be Wufei's new home for the semester.

It didn't take long after for Wufei to be on his way, a key with the number "05" in his hand. The rest of the group however kept a dire atmosphere. Quatre kept glancing to Trowa who only looked at him once before turning his head away. Duo made a big effort to keep his eyes away from Heero. The Japanese man simply sulked, quietly demanding that the tour move on so he could get to his own room to set up his things.

The art department was filled various items like scenic books and brushes of all sizes. There was even a computer lab filled with the top computers and best programs in the arts. Trowa had been quite impressed and had nearly opted to stay in the section of the building a bit longer rather than follow the rest of the group to the music section. When they arrived at the large but richly decorated orchestra hall, Quatre gasped. His soft voice echoed slightly and the blond blushed. "This is one of the best buildings in the academy! It is made to be soundproofed from the outside but in the inside, no musical instrument would be lacking in richness when being played!" The guide gushed out the information like a geyser. The academy's of rare instruments and excellent cleaning equipment made even the distracted Duo stare.

As the group of five -including the guide- made their way out of the art building and department and toward the computer and business department, Duo found himself getting angrier at the fact that Heero had the balls to ignore him. It wasn't the braided man's fault in the first place since Wufei was the one who had caused problems between Quatre and Trowa. All Duo did was try to help by pointing out the problem. Sure, he might have said things a bit too bluntly and rudely but the truth was the truth. Was it his fault if Wufei couldn't do himself a favor and grow a pair? The Deathscythe pilot scoffed before sending a glare at Heero.

But the man was far too busy staring at the computers to really care whether or not his boyfriend was angry at him or not. A callused hand moved to type in a few commands into one of the brand new computer. The system responded almost immediately making the Japanese man raise an eyebrow in appreciation. Not even his own laptop was as fast as the one before him. It made him wonder a bit about upgrading his favorite tool. Or perhaps when he left, Heero might be able to get a blueprint of the system so he could make on of his own.

Trowa sighed softly as he watched the ongoings on his friends. Ironically, while he felt pity for Heero, his own situation was not all too different. Trowa closed his single emerald eye, mind envisioning the future conversation he was going to have with Quatre if things escalated even more. It wasn't that he hated his blond friend and it wasn't as if their relationship was bad. While many others would say that a gay couple would never work out in the first place, Trowa believed that such things like the success of a relationship always depended on the couple. Society always had such back watered ways of thinking anyways, especially in regards to homosexuality.

So it wasn't society's fault or his friend's fault for Trowa's change in feelings. Like the famous phrase went, "It isn't you, it's me." Trowa simply didn't feel the connection anymore. It was almost as if after Quatre and Trowa got together, things began changing. There was that honeymoon phrase where they felt like the only two in the world and life was extremely good. The happy dinner days and the sweet nights in which they spent hours just talking were one of his best memories. However, as soon as the honeymoon phrase passed, Trowa began to noticed a few things.

The relationship became less of a relationship and more of an obligation. There no longer were any nights in which the two spent talking. Instead, Quatre made an effort to point out that he was too busy for such things. Dinner was then always spent alone and the bed was always cold when he went to bed. The auburn haired man sighed softly to himself before opening his eye. At that moment, Quatre had turned to look at Trowa. The two meet gazes before each turned away, shame and uncertainty in both of their eyes. Yes, things had began changing, Trowa thought to himself.

When Quatre was busy, Trowa was always at home alone. When the blond wasn't busy, it always seemed like things happened at the last minute. Recently, the main pattern dealt with Duo. Every time Duo had a fight with Heero or some small petty trouble - "Heero won't talk to me!"-, Quatre always stopped what he did and left. Even during the middle of the night, Quatre would get up and leave to comfort the American. It was then that Trowa steeled his resolve to end the relationship. He had been about to say something to Quatre when they got the mission from Une. Preventers always being on higher priority than personal problems, Trowa kept his mouth shut.

The group began to leave the computer labs to head toward the classrooms and lecture halls in which the Business majors would mainly be. Trowa watched Duo silently and then Quatre. He would be lying if he told someone that he never felt threatened by the braided man. Quatre and Duo were always closer than he was to Quatre. Even as lovers, things never seemed to work out. Even now, Quatre was next to Duo whispering comfort words and sending a bright smile. What did Heero think of this? Trowa didn't know and couldn't tell if he wanted to know.

Well, the man thought to himself, things will change. Trowa was going to talk to Quatre soon enough when the time is right and when that happens, he was going to do himself a favor and end everything once and for all. Perhaps then he could start anew and search for someone who would be passionate always with him. The auburn man then thought of Wufei who no doubt was now in his dorm relaxing. The conversation then had been amazing and it had sent a surge of happiness and contentment in Trowa which he hadn't felt in a long time with Quatre.

Yes, perhaps things would work out right after all.

The tour ended quietly, all parties satisfied with what they see but confused and annoyed by their own individual problems. The guide had simply left after saying, "I hope the tour has served you all well! I hope to see you Triton, Hiiro, and Solo soon in classes!" Heero and Duo left for their rooms, a building or two away from Wufei. Trowa eyed his key, a nice ironic number of "3". Quatre had gotten a letter for one of the special rooms but Trowa's dorm seemed to be the same as Wufei's. Perhaps they would be roommates. The man sighed and kept on walking down the path, eyes locking on the bright blue building. The ride up the elevator toward his floor was quick. Trowa's heart began to beat a bit fast and the man flushed, feeling confused about his own heart.

It was a bit of a shock to him when the man found himself standing in front of a door with the number "05" instead of his "03". Soul numbed, the man knocked. A moment later, the door opened to reveal Wufei. They stared at each other for a second or two before both faces flushed pink.

". .May I come in?"

AN: Finally posting this chapter. I was originally going to stop posting until I could get it 'cleaned' for errors but I'm finding a hard time getting an editor or betaer. If anyone is interested, please feel free to send me a message through here! Oh, please review! It does give me a bit of an incentive to write when I see that readers are still interested in the plot! Once again, thanks for waiting! And thank you, darkpanthress for pointing the errors out! I'm very happy that you caught it.