Dreams That Chains Us Down:

Dreams That Chains Us Down:

Next Time

By Hachi Mitsu

06.23.00

It was a beautiful autumn day. Golden leaves covered the endless grooves of trees, bordering the vast coast of Huang He. It was Saturday, so school had ended early.

           

Along the edge of the road were thick wooden posts, connect by beams. They looked weathered and broken down. Partly from being around for so long. And partly because Duo was bounced from one to another. He still had on his navy blue uniform, the loosened tie fluttering in the wind. Occasionally, he would spread out his arms, attempting to walk across the slabs of wood without loosing his balance.

           

Beside him, strolled Heero. His face as stoic as always. But a slight smile lit his eyes. It had almost been a month since he'd met Duo. The two had gotten along quite well despite their different backgrounds. Heero supposed that he was satisfied with the situation. Though he still wondered now and then if Duo really considered him a friend . . . or just someone to keep Wufei and his gang away . . .

           

            "Ne Heero. Ever wondered what it'll be like to live another life?"

            Duo's voice called him from his thoughts. "What do you mean?" Heero gave him a slightly curious gaze before looking off into the distance again. "I'm satisfied with the life I have right now. High school is the only thing that's keeping me out of prison or the army."

            Duo leaped from the wooden beam, running to catch up to hero. "Army?"

            Heero sighed silently. So much painful memories, where to start . . . "I never knew my mother and my dad was a soldier. He died in battle when I was really little."

            "I'm sorry . . ."

            "Don't be. When he died, his comrades planned on keeping me. But I managed to get out of it through school. I don't want to kill. I've killed enough as it is."

            Duo's eyes widen. Sighing, he decided not to ask, not yet. It hurt him to see his friend so unhappy. He allowed his pace to match Heero's. "I don't know what I want to do with my life. I wish something exciting would happen. I don't want to just take after my dad in business. I don't want to die and not have *done* anything with my life."

            Duo paused as they took a seat on one of the countless slabs of rocks that covered the coast, right off the main road they were walking along. The thick trees and bushes offered a quiet sereneness from the outside world. He leaned back against the Japanese boy's shoulder. Closing his eyes, he sighed again.

            "I don't want to die regretting my life."

            "You wont."

            Duo turned in surprise. Heero smiled down at him.

            "You're amazing Heero, ya know that?"

            Heero raised an eyebrow. "How is that?"

            Duo laughed. And for a moment, the air was filed with the deep, yet delicate sound. Almost like thousands of glass bells, shifting in the gentle breeze. "When I first saw you, I thought that someone must really want to make my life miserable. Ya know, with Wufei out for my blood, all I needed was some one else to join in."

            Duo burst out laughing again. Leaping from the rock, he turned around, resting his elbow by where Heero sat. He looked up, eyes filled with wonder, admiration and slight wistfulness. "But then you turned out so different. Giving Wufei a piece of your mind and all."

            Heero reached down, brushing away a stray strand of chestnut brown hair. "Is that why you talked to me?"

            Duo tilted his head slightly. The glistening locks falling over his face once more. He smirked. "That's part of the reason . . ."

            The afternoon sun settled upon them, patterned by the swaying leaves above. The whole world seemed to be gold. The sky a brilliant yellow and red sight. The river reflecting the dazzling colors. Even the leaves were of a fiery crimson and its trunks, a tarnished gold. Duo seemed to fit into this world. The light reflecting a halo from the highlights in his hair. A woodland angel. . .

            "Ne Heero?" Duo looked up, a bit perplexed.

            "hm. . ."

            "Are you my friend?"

            Heero's eyes winded in surprise. Hesitantly, he asked. "how would you define a friend?"

            Duo pondered awhile, his chin rested on his arms. " I guess someone who cares a lot about you. Some one to help you along life, someone who understands you." He paused. "You're my friend, ya know that right?"

            "Then I'm your friend too." Heero smiled. He continued in a small whisper, almost to himself. "you're my first friend. The first person that cared about me since my father died."

            But Duo heard, his glowing smile said it all. Seeing him, Heero suddenly jumped off the rock with a slight grin. "come with me. I have something to show you."

***

            Heero led Duo through the iron gates leading him through the path surrounded by brilliant trees. Reaching the large garage located in a separate building away from his home, Heero gestured towards some object placed under a thick black cloth.

            Duo peeked over his shoulders with interest. "what's that?"

            Heero lifted off the protective cloth reveling an old dusty black motorcycle. Duo blinked. It just looked like a old bike? Why was Heero making such a big deal out of it?

            "It used to be my father's. It's pretty much the only thing that I have left of him."

            Duo's eyes widen as he ran his hand over the dusty surface. Actually, with some repairs and a new coat of paint, they can really make something out of this. "Does it run?"

            "I'm trying to fix it, but there's one gear that I can never find in the stores I go to. Its really all the bike needs to run again."

            Duo grinned with childish delight. "Then I'll help you find it. I'm sure you're father will be happy if we can fix it up like new!" Without waiting for an answer, he grabbed his jacket from table where he had draped it when coming in and dragged Heero out the door with him.

            Duo glanced back to see a reluctant smile on Heero's face. It was nice to see him happy again. As happy as someone like him can get.

***

            Duo laid back on his bed, a small smile lingered on his lips. He and Heero had spent every day this week searching through every mechanical parts store in the city. After all that hard work, they finally found a matching part.

            /It was definitely worth it./

            It was worth it to see the warm smile on Heero's face as he literally flew from shelf to shelf trying to find the part. It was great. He really got a chance to get to know him. Heero that is. It gave him a wonderful feeling of satisfaction that he was probably the first to actually get to know the somber boy so well.

It almost masked away the encounter with Wufei after school today. They had followed him after class. Wufei with the blonde and that other quiet one, Trowa. He had probably circled campus at least 5 times in a futile effort to lost them. In the end it was Merian who had shown up. Seeing her, Wufei immediately stopped, probably not wanting to make a bad impression.

            Duo sighed, a small frown appeared on his face. Heero wasn't here today. He can't always be there. It frustrated him that he couldn't do so much as protect himself. Heero and Merian were probably the only two that weren't afraid of Wufei. Besides, no good depending on people even if anyone could be of help. He has to be more independent.

            Slowly, he stood up, walking towards his closet, kneeling on the ground, he rummaged around. Finding what he was looking for, he drew his had around. It was a gun. It's silver body reflecting the dim light. It's the only way. With a grim smile, he slid it into his book bag.

"Next time."

He whispered towards the strangely unfeeling face in the mirror.

Next time.

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AN: ooo! A twist in the plot!!! Watch out for the sequel "Choices" to find out what happens!! ^_^

Now please go review =D thanky!!!