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

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, (kinda) OOC

Kabuki

Mochi

Heero stormed into the stage entrance of the theatre, his shoes squealing on the tiled corridors. Stagehands and technicians pressed themselves flat against the walls when they saw the temperamental actor approach. All assistants only seemed to breathe when they were certain Heero had passed.

A few sharp turns and he arrived at his gakayu door, and hastily unlocked it. After passing inside Heero slammed the door shut behind him.

Rubbing his finger along the edge of the metal key, he decided to lock it from the inside, and leave the key in the lock.

Kicking off his shoes he slouched down onto the smooth tatami [1] mats and sat savouring the silence.

It had been a difficult morning with the creative director, also his co-actor and father. Nothing seemed to go right, and the constant criticisms from Odin Lowe didn't seem to help. The rehearsal had degraded into heated words and slurs being thrown about.

Heero had decided to act under his real name, not a stage name like his father. He thought that by not sharing his name, he'd be able to escape constant comparisons and pressures.

But it appeared that his father had not left behind the role of Ohatsu he'd handed down to Heero shortly after his son's astronomical debut into professional acting.

Heero always saw the twinge of resentment when his father looked at him, for rising to acclaim so young, to the point of overshadowing his father.

Kneeling onto the rug Heero noticed his costume folded and waiting to be worn at this afternoon's performance. He sighed and pushed it away off the red carpet hiding it from view. For an hour he wished to escape Ohatsu, just one hour.

But when Heero's eyes met his own reflection in the dressing table mirror, he wondered if it was possible to ever escape the role that had made his life.

He was broken from his musings when he saw the plain white cardboard box sitting to the side of the low dressing table.

Curiously, Heero pulled the box to him and gingerly opened the lid. Inside he could only see layers of soft white tissue paper.

Lifting away the translucent pieces of paper, he frowned at what he saw in the box.

Reaching in, he gently tugged out a blue and white cotton robe. It was a yukata [2] with a repeating dark blue pattern of small leaf and flower shapes.

Pulling it completely free he noted the simple design and stiff fabric, it was so much different from the costumes he was used to wearing.

Somewhere within the folds of tissue paper and fabric a small white card dropped free. Dropping the yukata onto his lap, Heero picked up the piece of card.

The Japanese man flipped the card over and printed on it was Duo Maxwell, and a telephone number below.

He tapped the card a few times, and touched the fabric again.

Fishing through some of his personal belongings, he pulled out his mobile phone.

Looking at the card, he carefully pressed the numbers on the keypad.

Heero cleared his throat as the phone started ringing.

Five rings and the phone was picked up.

The American voice on the other end sounded relaxed and casual, "Duo Maxwell."

Heero paused, now not sure what to say. "This is Heero Yuy…you've sent me something…"

But the enthusiastic American cut him off; "Oh it's you Heero! I hope you didn't mind me sending the gift. It just looked difficult to wear your costume, the lady in the shop said you could relax in what I sent and stuff…"

The chatter sent Heero into a reel; it was difficult talking in English over the phone unable to see the other person's lips move with the words. Thinking through what Duo had said, he slowly replied, "Why did you send it?"

There was a pause from Duo, and it wasn't from language problems. "Well, kinda as a thank you, for the great performance…and to say…"

Heero frowned as the words trailed off, "What do you mean?"

"To say…I like you."

He likes me? Heero's expression turned to that confusion as the words ran through his mind. He likes me? What the American really meant started to dawn on the actor.

His mouth gently opened in shock, sure he'd had fans projecting a whole manner of strange feelings onto him…but this was different. Something about Duo was intriguing him, piquing his curiosity. Why had the American gone to the trouble to buy a yukata in this foreign city? To think of the times when he wasn't Ohatsu…?

"Heero?" Duo's voice broke into the silence that had passed.

"Hn, yes."

The American proceeded more cautiously, "I hope you don't mind me--"

But the Japanese man cut him off, "No, not at all. I'd like to thank you in person."

Duo sounded more cheerful at the suggestion, "When are you available?"

Ah, Heero mulled this question over. He hadn't really any free time at all for the next week or so, most of it dedicated to rehearsing or performing. But there was one time the next day he could see Duo.

"Tomorrow, I have a publicity shoot and interview for an arts magazine. You can meet me afterwards."

"Yeah that would be fine!"

A smirk slowly crossed Heero's lips; he gave the details of where the photo-shoot was, a local park and the time to be there.

"So I'll see you tomorrow right Heero?"

"Un [3], of course."

The happy voice said, "Good. See ya Heero!"

"Goodbye." The actor disconnected the phone and chucked it to the side.

Odin would not be happy about this; he disliked the cast (or rather just his son) socialising too much while touring. Especially on publicity matters. Tough, Heero thought.

The actor stood, holding out the yukata in front of him allowing it to unfold to its full length. He slid the cotton fabric over his tank top and jeans. It was indeed a nice garment, and Duo had brought it for him.

But his blue eyes strayed to the clock, and he realised that he should start putting his makeup on soon.

Time to become Ohatsu, and forget about being Heero, as everyone else did.

To Be Continued.

[1] Tatami- rice straw matting, smells really nice and sweet.

[2] Yukata- a cotton robe worn in summer or as a dressing gown, like a kimono but with no lining

[3] 'Un' is a sound of agreement used in Japanese.

Author's Notes: Mochi are sweets made from rice…it's a really bad pun on the word 'sweet' and Heero's reaction to the gift…

Sorry this has taken so long to write, I was rather undecided about a few details. But now it's done what do people think? I'm a review junkie…pity me.