Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or it's characters, neither do I have anything to do with the actors and plays mentioned in this fic.
Warnings: (artistic) Cross-dressing, (eventual) Yaoi, (rationalised) OOC and if I told you the pairings it'd spoil it.
Authors Notes: You can find a picture of the costume Heero's wearing at the link below (well if Geocities ever works). It's a picture of Nakamura Ganjirō III, Japans national living treasure.
I rationalise the OOC by saying that Heero's good at what ever he tries, and so if he was a good actor, he'd be able to do all of this OOC stuff…because he's acting…yeah.
Kabuki
Onnagata
The female lead of Sonezaki Shinjû glided down the hall way at the back of the theatre. Each drape and fold of the silk costume moved in perfect grace, kimono sleeves fluttering and each stride flashing the striking red fabric under the yellow over gown.
The actor had spent an eternity after the show arguing with the creative director, and that had made him late.
Wearily the figure stopped at a door, and pushed it open. Closing it after he had passed through, the wooden sandals were slipped off.
It was a small gakayu [1], and most of the floor being taken up by a luxury rug. On one side of the rug, stood a low dressing table and mirror obviously to be used by a person sitting on the rug.
The performer frowned at the sight of the make up bowls and jars still sitting on the mahogany table and carpet.
Where were the assistants? He wanted dearly to be able to take the wig and costume off, and go to a bar for needed drink.
Glancing at the jars once again, the performer stepped onto the rug and knelt down, the folds of silk falling perfectly.
Grumbling, the star started to put tools and bamboo brushes into various boxes and draws of the dresser.
~~
A certain braided man was definitely lost once again, this time in the back stage of the theatre. Duo had seen a delivery boy carrying a bouquet of flowers, and questioned the youth as to the intended recipient of the assorted red and white blooms.
Some time and $50 later, Duo was now carrying the flowers wondering aimlessly to find Room 4. Stagehands and technicians brushed past him in the narrow corridors.
Duo counted the numbers on the doors and finally stopped at the one he wanted.
But he paused with his fingers on the cold handle. Behind this door was the creature he'd seen on stage, but then again not… What was the real actress like? Would she even mind him here?
Any uncertainty was pushed from his mind as he knocked and resolutely gripped the handle. Duo had to see her one more time, there was something about her he was drawn to like a moth to a flame.
Duo opened the door and peered inside. To his surprise the object of his search was kneeling with her back to the door. He observed the lady for several moments, watching as she put small boxes into the draw of her dresser. The collar of her yellow kimono dipped low on her shoulders, still revealing white painted flesh.
Without looking back she started to speak, "Anata wa doko…" But the actress' foreign words trailed off when she turned around to find it was not her assistant at the door.
To Duo's surprise, she still wore her heavy costume and makeup. The actress stood with elegance, ruffling the kimono sleeves so that they hung straight.
However, Duo was pinned to the spot by the blue eyes outlined in red that now stared at him coldly. Up close she was all the more captivating.
Swallowing hard the American crept into dressing room, clutching to the flowers to his chest.
Putting on his most charming smile Duo started, "These flowers are for you."
The woman before him nodded and stepped forward to take the bouquet. Duo felt the smooth white hands brush his as she too the bundle from his grasp. He noted the heavy scent of wax [2].
Instead of standing to admire the delicate petals, she placed the flowers to the side of the Prussian rug. Turning back to Duo, she again stared at him.
Duo realised he had just been standing there looking. He licked his dry lips before continuing, "I saw you act on stage tonight, you were very good."
The white face remained blank, and silence hung in the air. Duo started to wonder if she even spoke English when a soft voice corrected him, "Thank you."
The American couldn't help but grin, the beauty had actually spoken to him! "My name's Duo Maxwell, may I ask yours?"
Apparently she didn't seem too impressed with the question, because a black painted eyebrow rose. Good one Maxwell, you should have known her name she's the famous star!
But she answered, "Yuy Heero the 2nd [3]."
The 2nd? Must be some Japanese thing. Duo done the only thing he knew how to, and reached forward with his hand.
She blinked at the appendage for a moment before hesitantly grasping it with her own. They gently shook hands before pulling away.
"May I call you Yuy?"
It was difficult to see the slight frown in the Japanese woman's face "Yuy? Do you mean call me by my first name?"
Duo started to panic, maybe asking that had offended her. "Um yeah, but I'm sorry…"
He was cut off when she shook her head; "Heero is my given name."
The American smiled again "Well can I call you Heero?"
The actress looked surprised, but slowly said, "Yes."
"The stuff you do looks pretty special." Duo said.
Thinking over the words Heero replied, "I am an Onnagata."
The American looked puzzled, trying to repeat the word, "Ona…gata?"
"Yes, an Onnagata, I specialise in female roles."
Duo mentally shrugged, strange things happen in translation but he wasn't about to give up yet with the quiet woman, "This was the first time I've seen this type of theatre, but what struck me was how beautiful you looked."
The intended flattery seemed to provoke a reaction in the Japanese lady, for she turned away and only replied, "Hn."
There was a knock at the door and Duo turned to see a casually dressed Japanese man enter the room. He looked confused at Duo, then to Heero.
Heero scowled at the young man asking harshly, "Where have you been? You're late."
The assistant bowed offering his apologies.
The actress looked back to Duo, who smiled when he caught the blue glare. But the American started to feel a blush rise to his cheeks. Now that the assistant was here she'd surely want to get changed out of that costume, and all he could do was gawp at her!
Fumbling for the handle behind him, Duo started stumbling over his words "Well…thanks for…talking to me, I had better…go. Goodbye!"
The American ducked out the door and closed it with a clack. Leaning heavily on the wooden door he took deep breaths. His mind wondered to Heero on the other side of the door, peeling off layers of silk…
Wait, he hadn't given her his telephone number!
~~
Heero saw the American dash out the room and hastily closed the door. How odd that had been.
Fans often came with flowers and gifts, but most people got scared off with the Yuy glare. But the American (wasn't Duo his name?) seemed unfazed.
The actor turned and berated the Assistant once more to hurry, and a high stool was placed in the middle of the rug.
Gathering folds of silk Heero sat down, and helped his assistant heave the heavy wig from his head, ornaments jangling. It came away and he left the assistant to deal with storing it.
Heero tore the white cap that had been used to keep his hair covered away, and immediately sweaty dark hair fell into his eyes.
The performance had been particularly hot, and the wig only served to give him a headache.
Standing, Heero started to untie the obi of the Ohatsu the 19-year-old prostitute.
~~
Duo stood outside the theatre's stage door, waiting impatiently. He'd been here for over an hour, and he'd seen most of the staff leave.
He'd been determined to give the actress his telephone number, but he was sure that each face that went by was not that of Heero Yuy's.
It was now dark and getting late, and road sweepers were starting to clear the uptown street.
Leaning against the wall Duo started to think about Heero again, her movements, her voice, her eyes…
He heard the door open again and Duo jumped around to see who was leaving. It was a young man about his age with messy dark brown hair. He was dressed in jeans and a turtleneck, with a heavy looking duffel bag slung over one shoulder.
Duo had had enough and stepped in front of the Japanese man, effectively blocking his path.
"Excuse me," Duo asked, "Is there anyone left from the Kabuki Theatre Company?"
Oddly familiar blue eyes glared at him from beneath the dark hair. "No, I am the last person."
Duo visibly sagged, he must had missed her. She'd either slipped out without him noticing, or he just hadn't recognised her.
He murmured a "Thank you" and slopped off in the direction of his motorbike.
Heero watched the man walk slowly down the street. That was Duo wasn't it? Why was he hanging around outside the theatre?
The Japanese man rubbed his aching forehead. He didn't have time to be thinking about crazy Americans, he only wanted to go to his accommodation, have a drink, then sleep.
Hefting his bag onto his shoulder, Heero walked the opposite way from Duo.
To Be Continued
[1] Gakayu- dressing room
[2] I believe they drip hot wax onto wigs so it keeps its shape…well I know they done that with Geisha (real) hair
[3] Kabuki actors come from a long family lines of actors, so it's common to see II, IV etc added onto actors names
Author's notes:
I'm sorry for the gender thing, I kept referring to Heero as 'she' because it was more Duo's POV, I hope it wasn't too confusing.
Duo's being so dumb…but if Duo was being clever in this fic there wouldn't be much of a story right?
In case anyone's not realised, all Kabuki actors are male, even the ones playing the female parts. Onnagata are the actors that specialise in female roles.
