Chains That Holds Us Down:

Dreams That Chains Us Down:

Shinjiteiru

By Hachi Mitsu

05.03.00

[Border of Campus]

            Relena Peacecraft strolled down the walkway of the busy high school. Around her rushed the many students who struggled to get to class before the bell rang, signaling the first day of the new year at Yellow River High. As she made a neck-breaking run towards the door just within sight, a loud whistle from above caught her attention. She looked up just in time to see a bucket of freezing cold soap water crash into her neatly done hair. Looking around, she glared menacingly at the gathering spectators.

[Some back ally near school]

            Mean while in another part of the campus, a large group of people gathered around a blue haired girl. Hilde waved a stack of autographed photos at the group around her.

           

"GET YOUR SIGNITURED PHOTOS! 5$ EACH!!"

            The huge pack of students quickly cleared out the supply of photos. Hilde slipped out of the crowd, walking into a back corridor.

            "Yo, Trowa! Got anymore photos we- "

            Hilde stopped in mid-sentence as she stared in shock at the stack of photos in Trowa's hand, which *he* was signing. Stepping forward, she glared at the fake signatures.

            "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!? These are fake!!"

            ". . ."

            Hilde's glare doubled its intensity, but before she could continue a black haired Asian boy stepped in front of her.

            "Now Hilde, this is no way to treat a fellow student, is it?"

            Hilde gulped. Despite the polite words, she could see the bared teeth and the threatening note barely hidden by the superficial smile. Besides, Wufei Chang was the notorious gang leader of River High. No need to go looking for trouble. Hilde stepped away from her close proximity to the banged boy, bowing politely to the Chinese one.

            "Eh heh, of course not Chang sama. I apologize Trowa kun"

            Wufei smiled menacingly, "that's much better. Why don't you leave now Hilde san."

            It was no suggestion, but a demand, one, which will not be disobeyed. Hilde nodded and backed away carefully. After she disappeared around the corner, Wufei turned back to Trowa, the vicious smile turning into a full scowl.

            "KISAMA! What the fuck did you think you were doing Barton?! We can't afford people getting suspicious. Be more careful from now on!"

            ". . ."

            "Good. I'll just go meet the class now."

            With a smirk, Wufei went off to meet the future . . . err. . . victims of his gang. Ah a new year, a fresh batch of students under his control.

[Before main entrance of school]

            Meanwhile, in yet another part of the school, a *very* large crowd had gathered around the driveway of the school. Eyeing the crowed with curiosity, the still soaked Relena wandered over to a pretty Chinese girl glancing eagerly over the shoulders of the students in front of her.

            "Hey, Mei- chan. What's happening?"

            "Relena! He's coming! He's coming!!!"

            As usual Relena was completely clueless as to what is going on. Merian Shirin rolled her eyes with a sight sigh. Slowly she explained to Relena what the big commotion was about. Apparently, the son of a billionaire was transferring to their school. Everyone wanted to be there to see him.

            "His name is Duo Maxwell!"

            "His dad is suppose to be the president of this really big company!"

            "I heard that this was the first time he's attending a public school."

            "Yeah! He always had private tutors before!"

            From all around people shouted information. Whether they were just rumors or not, it held Relena completely captive. She has *got* to meet this new guy! After all, who could resist her charms. She swept aside her soggy hair and clothes, the people -edging away from the disgusting smell of her wet clothes - unseen by her glassy eyes.

            "THERE HE IS!!!!!"

            The shout snapped her out of her daydreaming as the crowd held their breath. A sleek back limo pulled into the drive. From the door stepped out a boy with a long chestnut brown braid. Though he was dressed in uniforms like everyone eyes, his jacket was decorated with gold designs and a silver tie clip adorn his silk black tie, tucked neatly into the navy jacket. Flashing his now wildly cheering fans a big smile, Duo slipped on a pair of black sunglasses and proceeded to walk towards his classroom. This new school thing is really looking up

            Relena smiled dreamily. /He smiled at me! He smiled at me!/ It was clear that she didn't realize that he was smiling at *everyone*. So caught up in her delusions was she that, Relena failed to notice that she was the only one left standing in the driveway. Everyone else had proceeded to his or her class now that the excitement was over.

[Principle's office]

            Heero Yui scowled at the principal. He really didn't need any of this. If it weren't for the threat of being kicked off to army school, he wouldn't be anywhere near this place.

            ". . . you have been caught in many fights. Please be aware that we, at Yellow River High School, will not accept such behavior. This is your last chance Yui!"

            Heero glared at the middle-aged man before him. Zechs- sensei was nice enough to get him into this school after being expelled from the last one. Despite the fact that he had been caught in numerous fights with knifes and other restricted weapons. He sighed. He owes the man that much. . . iie, he owes, him*self* that much.

            "Hai. I promised myself that I will never get into another fight."

            The man nodded with approval.

            "Now you better get to your class. I believe that there will be another new student there. . . "

[Room 201]

            In one of the classroom, a pretty blond boy stood before the seated students.

            "Hello minna-san! My name is Quatre, and  I'd like to welcome you to a new year at River High! For those who do not know, this school is in the territory of the Black Crows."

Quatre paused, giving the students a bright smile. Gesturing towards Wufei, he continued.

" As you will all come to know, this is our wonderful leader, Chang- sama. And in order for him to protect you from neighboring gangs, we will once more be collecting monthly 'taxes' from you of 300 dollars per person. I'm sure you all understand the need for this. "

Quatre's smile brightened. "However, if you do choose not to pay, you would regretfully leave you for Trowa here to deal with."

". . ."

Quatre sweatdropped. Clearing his throat, he brought up that smile again. Only it seemed a trifle strained this time.

"I hope you have a wonderful yea-"

But before he could finish his sentence, everyone had rushed towards the door.

"Is he coming?!"

"Do you see him?!?"

All the students were gathering by the door, praying that Duo would be assigned to their class. Wufei was *not* pleased, to say the least. He walked towards, Meiran, one of the few people who were not waiting by the door.

"This is for you." Leaning over her desk, he drew out a red rose. But Merian only raised an eyebrow. Taking it, she fling it over her shoulders. The rose landed on Relena's desk. Dropping the mirror and make-up kit, which she was using to err. . . fix her face, she grabbed the rose, stuffing it in her face- and then sneezed. Loudly.

*sweatdrop*

"Wufei, I told you I wasn't interested."

Wufei frowned. "but that was last year. Surely you would have changed your mind!"

Merian sighed. Shaking her head, she opened her mouth, only to be cut off by another round of cheering from the group by the door.

"He's coming towards our door!!!"

Wufei was seething. He open his mouth to speak, but was also cut off by deafening screeches as a long haired boy strolled into the class, trailed by dozens of dazzled fans.

"OOOOH! We're soooo lucky!!"

"Duo-sama is gonna be in our class!"

"Isn't' it great?!?"

"Yeah! It must be fate-"

"CLASS!!!!!"

Everyone froze in mid-cheer as Noin- sensei strolled in.

"Everyone take a seat!" She waited until everyone were seated and then gestured to Duo. "As you all probably know, this is Duo Maxwell, son of the president of the Maxwell Corporation. Please welcome him."

Duo gave then class a wink and smile. . . And the class promptly melted into a big pile of mush. Noin sensei cleared her throat. "Duo, please take a seat behind Wufei. Wufei, please stand up to show him who you are."

Wufei stood up, a sly smile on his face. As Duo walked towards him, Quatre stuck out his foot, causing the American to trip and fall, right into Wufei's clutches.

Sneering, Wufei whispered "Welcome, my friend." With that, he punched Duo, throwing him into the seat. "Welcome to Hell."

Meanwhile, Noin sensei stood blissfully before the blackboard. /What wonderful kids! So welcoming! Especially that Wu-/

"Is this 201?"

Noin looked up from her delusions . . . err. . . thoughts. "Oh, you must be Heero Yui!" Turning towards the class, she introduced him. "Since our class is known for being *so* good towards new people, Zechs sensei has decided to also put Heero Yui here. Please welcome him. I hop- " Noin looked up from her blind rambling to find an unemotional Heero and a chattering class.

"I heard he got kicked out of 15 high schools!"

"Well, I heard that he gets into a lot of fights."

"Big deal! He's killed people!"

"CLAAAAASSSS!!!!!" Noin took a deep breath, trying to turn her face back into a normal shade of color.

"Heero, please take a seat behind Duo. Duo, can yo- "

"Oh, no! Please allow *me* to show hero san the way!" Wufei stood, his mocking voice dripping with sarcasm.

Quatre grinned that angelic grin of his, and stuck out that foot again. But instead of tripping, Heero stepped on it. The blond boy let out a yelp, and then burst into tears. Sprinting around some desks- and tripping over others- he fled.

Wufei's smile hardens. Holding out his hand, he shook Heero's. "Welcome, Heero." He pulled back his other fist, but before he could complete his introduction, Heero beat him to the punch line, literally. Pushing the now dazed Wufei into his seat, hero smirked.

"Welcome to Hell."

Taking a seat, he raised an eyebrow as Duo turned around. To the jealousy of every other person in the class, he gave Heero a big smile of amusement.

"Hi! I'm duo!" He mouthed.

***

[End of school]

            The bell rang, signaling the end of school. Under the intimidation of Wufei and company, the students of 201 – as well as all those from other classes perched eagerly by the door- went home grudged instead of glomping onto Duo, as they would have wished.

           

            But before Duo would follow their suit, Wufei grabbed his book bag, slamming the boy back into his seat.

            ""I believe we have some business to discuss. Seeing that you're all rich and stuff, I would like to request that you pay us an extra fee. Wouldn't want something to happen to you, now would we?"

            Duo gulped, glancing to the door, which was blocked by a wildly grinning Quatre and an impassive Trowa.

            "I. . .I. . ."

            "Now Duo- this is for your own go- "

            "Isn't that for *him* to decide?"

            Quatre eeped as he spun around to find the owner of the cold menacing voice. Heero stood behind him, glaring. Quatre's eyes widen and promptly ran our the door, dragging Trowa with him.

            Heero stepped into the room. Turning towards, Duo, his expression softened slightly.

           

            "Duo, you wanted to see me?" Heero flashed Wufei another glare, daring him to question the truthfulness of the statement.

            Duo looked confused for a second, but then brightened.

            "Yeah, I'll be right there!"

            Wufei was about to protest by after another dose of the Yui glare of doom ™, he gulped. He's alone. Better wait until he has backup. That guy's pretty tough. Wufei scowled and stalked out the room.

            Heero reached down, picking up Duo's book bag from where Wufei had dropped it and walked out the door with duo.

            "You ok?

            Duo grinned. "Yeah. Thanks man!"

            Heero smirked. "The guys are creeps. Don't let them push you around."

            Duo nodded, still grinning. Seeing his waiting limo, his smile dampened slightly. "I got to go."

            "Bye." Heero handed him his book bag as Duo climbed into the car.

            "Hey, want a ride?"

            Heero shook his head. "I live close by."

            "Alright . . . I'll see ya!"

            Heero gave a slight wave as the tinted window rolled up and the car disappeared below the golden glow of the setting sun.

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AN: hey, I thought it was funny ^^;; ok, ok, maybe it wasn't =P

mmm... this was suppose to be ending here, but I'm kinda stuck on it, so there's going to be either a sequel or another chapter phase thing ^_^

anyways go review, pretty please? =)