T. K.: WOO-HOO! New fic!
Neko-Chan: It's sappy.
T. K.: Whose fault is that?
Neko-Chan: *Whistles theme from Escaflowne and twist his long whiskers*
T. K.: Neko-Chan. Do your thing.
Neko-Chan: WE OWN IT ALL!!! (Just Communication starts playing, he pulls a cell-phone out and flips it open) One second... uh-huh... uh-huh... uh-huh... damn, thanks, Doug. (Back to T. K. and the audience) Well, apparently we don't own it. That was your uncle, Doug. *His gray ears lay flat against his head*
T. K.: Uncle Doug the Cop?
Neko-Chan: Uh-huh. Said to recant the libel or he has to arrest us.
T. K.: Damn. We don't own Gundam Wing. I do, however, own Ayame Suisei. Heero's nineteen and Ayame is 18, they are in Tokyo and in college. Neko-Chan, give the translations.
Neko-Chan: Translations: Hai: Yes; Nai, No: Iie: NO!; Chikusko: Damn it!; Mattaku no baka: Damned Fool; Wa koi anata: I love you... The I Love You thing may or may not be correct, so if it isn't, please correct us.
T. K.: (Mutters darkly about being related to cops)
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Heero Yuy sat in his last class of the day, Biology class, listening to the educational tape the professor had playing yammer on about cyanide and how it kills a person, not that Heero didn't already know. One of the perks of being raised by an assassin. Heero stifled a yawn, the urge to lay his head down and make like the rest of the class and fall asleep was beginning to overwhelm him. He felt someone poke him in the shoulder blade with a pencil. He turned to face Ayame Suisei a 5'4" spitfire with long black hair and liquid gold eyes. Ayame held a sheet of paper out to him; he smirked as he read what her writing said.
'Kami-Sama! What a snore... I have violin practice after school (more exciting than this), if you wish to tag along. (Please...) Then we can go to the park and (ugh, I don't believe I'm about to say this) do our home work, if we have any, or just hang (Please, please?) then supper at The Village Cafe (Please, please, Please??)
PLEASE???
Ame'
Heero looked at the sleeping form of Nick Zimmerman in the seat next him to make sure he wasn't spying and started jotting, 'Well, since you've asked me so nicely... I'll tell you my answer after class.
Heero'
He turned to return the note, sitting there half-turned around and watched her read; a smirk crossed the girl's features, she looked up and mouthed okay. He watched her put her head down but knew she wouldn't fall asleep.
Heero and Ayame shared a connection that they couldn't put their fingers on, that allowed them a friendship (and oftentimes more) with out problems. She had told him about being a lieutenant in OZ. That her father had been loyal to Treize till the end and had sent her off to OZ as soon as he possibly could; about advancing quickly to the top and how her life had never been normal, her mother was a drunk; her brother, was to say the least, abusive. That was what she was trying to accomplish here, something normal.
She already knew who Heero was and that he was a Gundam pilot. He had told her about the other pilots, Relena, the missions, the test, and that dying hurts badly. He had also told her that he was trying to lead a normal life as well.
Pretty soon the bell rang and slumbering students rose to find that for once there was no homework.
They had made their way out of the lecture hall and were on their way home when Ayame asked, "Well? Are you coming with me or do I endure violin all by my lonesome?"
Heero looked down the down the road as they walk down then at her and said, "Hnnn, well since I have no homework and the war is over... I guess I'll go."
Ayame looked up. "The war's over?" she asked innocently. "I had no IDEA!"
"You are asking for it today..." Heero warned as they continued walked down the street.
"For what?"
"The tickling of a lifetime," Heero said as he grabbed at her and mercilessly tickled her ribs and back. "Say it! Say my name!" Heero continued as they fell to the ground.
"No, never!" She yelled as they rolled over a lawn, the owner sitting on the porch just stared.
"Aww, come on! Never?" Heero asked tickling harder.
"Okay! Heero!"
"Oh, never?" Heero asked teasing Ayame. She stood and straitened herself and walked away. "Oh come on, Ame. You know I was kidding," Heero said as he walked up to her.
Ayame was smiling, until she looked at her watch. "Chikusko! I'm gonna be late for practice!" she yelled as she broke into a dead run, Heero right behind her.
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"Mrs. Rast, I'm sorry I'm late," Ayame began as she entered the door but soon fell silent to the violin that was already playing. Mrs. Rast was a 20-ish blond with intelligent, but far away looking sky blue eyes, and even though pregnant was a thin woman of 5'7".
"Who's that?" Heero asked quietly, closing the front door to the second floor modest apartment.
"I don't know, it might be her," she said, dropping her voice as well. "Well, time to face the music."
"Literally."
"I was getting to that," Ayame said as she walked into the rehearsal/living room where she saw not Mrs. Rast playing but a blond boy; whom judging from the sound Heero was making, was an old acquaintance.
"Who is that? Wait! Is that Quatre Winner, Heero?" She asked, still whispering. Mrs. Rast and Quatre Winner had yet to notice Heero and Ayame. Grabbing Ayame's arm, Heero made a dash for the door.
Outside, Heero looked behind him and noticed a motorcycle, already started, the rider with his face shield down. "Oh Chikusko!" Heero said and kept running. The motorcycle started after them.
"Heero? Who is it?" Ayame asked, barely keeping pace.
Heero was reluctant to say and he looked behind them to avoid the question, the motorcycle was gaining. "This way!" he yelled as they ducked into an alleyway.
"Heero! Who is that?!" she asked, slowing down as a threat of stopping.
"Another Gundam pilot, Wufei I bet, they've been asking me to come back to the Sanc Kingdom," Heero said and she sped up.
Ayame pulled Heero back and into another alley that made up the labyrinth they were in. "Come on, this way," she said, pulling herself up onto a fire escape; Heero followed suit. The motorcycle past them and she jumped down, landing with the grace of a cat. "We'll go back to my place."
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Back at her uptown apartment. "Well," she said brightly, "at least they don't know where you are." She looked out the window of the fourth floor apartment, and her expression turned serious. "I know OZ was underhanded and filthy at times, and I've also known my share of rebels; as a matter of fact and honor, I was one of both. They weren't like this; I was never like that, even to deserters. Why are these pilots so ambitious?"
Heero sighed, motioned for Ayame to sit on the leather couch beside him and said, "Because they work for Relena Peacecraft." She looked at him as she sat down his expression was solemn.
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Half an hour later, she knew the whole story about Relena Peacecraft. She had been calling him and writing to try and get him to come back to the Sanc Kingdom as her personal body guard for there had been rumors of an uprising of those left over from White Fang and everyone had become worried. Ayame was to say the least stunned. "Heero..." she said.
"Be angry, you can hate me, if you like," Heero said with his head hanging, ashamed that he had kept it from her all this time they were together.
"I'd rather not," she said putting a hand on his shoulder and kissed his cheek.
Heero looked up at her. "You mean you aren't incredibly pissed off at me?"
"Well, not incredibly," Ayame said getting off the couch. "Are you going to run? 'Cause if you are, I'm coming with you."
"Nai, I can't avoid my past forever; I have to confront it... them. Her. See what they want. It could mean war."
"Then, I want to go with you. If it's a war, I want in!"
"What?! Are you crazy? Iie!"
"Please?"
"Iie!"
"Fine," she said, defeated.
"Ayame?"
"Hai, Heero?"
"Don't worry," he said standing up and extending his hand to her, Ayame took it and he pulled her into an embrace. "I'll be back."
"Do you swear?" She asked, nuzzling down into his neck.
"If I have anything to say about it." Ayame looked up, the gleam in his eye said staying in the Sanc Kingdom wasn't an option; she dropped her head back into the crook of his neck. "Promise me you won't go do something stupid like join an army while I'm gone."
"Fine. I at least want to meet them; and see you off," her tone said no was not the answer to give.
"Okay, come on then; let's get this over with," he said heading for the door, Ayame in tow.
Outside, a cold wind blew that chilled their very souls. "It's going to rain," she said off handed. Heero stared straight ahead at what had so soon become his home and was now to be taken away.
"I hate to leave," Heero said earnestly. "I've grown to like this place." Ayame found herself speechless. Heero looked at her, and gave a lopsided grin, which now came easily to his face. "It's not only the place, though."
"Oh, Heero," she said, unable to think of anything else, as he hugged her fiercely.
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Heero and Ayame walked to the place where they lost Wufei, and then to where her lessons had been. There again was the motorcycle, but instead of Wufei on the cycle was Trowa, the same wind that chilled Heero and her, was now warmer and playing lightly with Trowa's hair.
"Hnnn," Heero growled.
"Hello, Heero," Trowa said without emotion.
"Trowa, are you guys looking for me or did Wufei chase me for skill assessment?" Heero replied closing the gap between them.
Trowa chuckled almost noiselessly, then turned serious and asked, "Who's she?"
"I am Ayame Suisei, I wish we could have met under better circumstances," she said extending her right hand and taking his.
"Pleasure to meet you, Suisei was it?" he asked. Shaking her hand briskly. "Nice grip," he said, lips pursing in what was supposed to be a smile.
"Everyone's inside?" Heero asked, although it seemed was more of a statement.
"Hai," Trowa said getting off the motorcycle and walked to the door, Heero and Ayame close on his heels. Trowa opened the door and let them past, catching Heero's eye to ask what Ayame thought she was doing. Heero just shook his head and mouthed later. Ayame just sighed, noticing the exchange and walked on to Mrs. Rast's apartment.
Heero looked at her, Ayame had slipped into soldier mode; head high, shoulders back, stomach in, arms at her sides, steps perfectly timed, he could almost hear her brain say, 'To the left, to the left. To the left, right! Left!' He laughed/sighed and took on his war visage.
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Inside the apartment, Quatre had taken up his violin and was playing a sad piece that she knew well. Introductions had gone around and Ayame was about to leave when the door opened. In stepped Relena Peacecraft and Lucrezia Noin.
"Heero!" Relena cried as she rushed to hug him. Heero was at a loss as he hugged Relena and stared at Ayame. Ayame smiled, turned around and walked out of the door. "Who was that?" Relena asked.
"That was Ayame," Trowa answered. "Heero's friend."
"Heero, where are you going?" Relena continued her question.
"To make sure I don't lose that friend," he said over his shoulder, as he took off down the stairs after her.
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Ayame hadn't wasted anytime getting away from the apartment, she just took off running. The tears started to spill from her eyes and she had to stop running. She didn't want to lose Heero to those people, but she knew that he wouldn't come back; when you are bodyguard for people like that they have a way of getting you to stay. It would be too obvious. She was so busy crying that she never heard the footsteps. "Stop crying," Heero ordered. His voice jarred her back to reality, but Ayame kept crying. "Please? Stop crying," he said again, this time softer. He sat down on the curb next to Ayame and placed his arms around her. Her tears lessened, she quieted. Ayame buried her head into his chest. "There, much better."
"Heero, if you go, you won't come back," She said, voice muffled.
"What makes you say that?" he asked, lifting her head up with his index under her chin.
Ayame breathed deeply, she could smell his after-shave. "Because, this will escalate and suck you in."
"But, the war is over! I just want a----," Heero was saying when she cut him off.
"Normal life. Hai, I know. But in truth, how normal can it be?"
"I don't know. Look," he said pulling himself up and Ayame with him, "you're home. If you think that is how it's going to be, go inside, and forget you ever knew me."
"Iie!" she was completely outraged to the point of tears again, and couldn't believe what he was saying. "You have been here when I needed you most," she said, her small hands feebly pounding his well-muscled chest in a pathetic attempt to inflict some sort of physical pain upon him as he was to her soul. "Heero Yuy, mattaku no baka... you are not some stray cat that comes and goes as it pleases!" Then Ayame looked at her hand splayed on his chest and added, "And I broke a nail! You, you," she found myself at a loss for words and had to repeat herself, "You baka!"
Heero lifted an eyebrow at the analogy and the last statement she made, and then asked, "So do you want me to become a house cat, Ame?"
It was now her turn to arch an eyebrow. "That's kinda it." She knew it was impossible to get him to change his mind about going, so Ayame changed course of action; wiggling out of his embrace, she asked, "Will you at least give me the honor of one last walk up stairs, until you return?"
Heero looked at her and added, "If I return..."
"Well?" she prompted as she had earlier in the day. That conversation seemed like years ago.
Heero opened the door for her as he had so many times before. Ayame walked past him. They arrived at her door and she withdrew her key; Ayame stopped, her key poised to enter the lock when she couldn't find the power to push it on in. When that door opened he was gone; when; if ever, would he be back? She felt his impatience grow quickly, then he relaxed and took her hand in his. He pushed the key in and she felt the lock click. Ayame turned back to Heero and rested her head on his chest, his heart strong and regular; unlike hers, which was faint, and about to break. Heero lifted her head up and kissed her lips. Not so much of a kiss as a mere touch, she yearned for more but he had to leave. "Heero?" Ayame's voice sounded strangled and awkward to her own ears.
"Hai?"
She felt as though she might not even be able to articulate the right words. "Please for the love of the Heavens above us... Come home! There is so much here waiting for you." Heero looked her in the eyes and opened the door. She again felt tears and wanted to run away to her room and shut herself away from the cruel world without a second thought. "Wa koi anata, I've finally found a life here... I hope you've found one as well."
Heero started walking. "I have, so, I'll return," he said. Outside the storm broke with the fury of hell.
Neko-Chan: It's sappy.
T. K.: Whose fault is that?
Neko-Chan: *Whistles theme from Escaflowne and twist his long whiskers*
T. K.: Neko-Chan. Do your thing.
Neko-Chan: WE OWN IT ALL!!! (Just Communication starts playing, he pulls a cell-phone out and flips it open) One second... uh-huh... uh-huh... uh-huh... damn, thanks, Doug. (Back to T. K. and the audience) Well, apparently we don't own it. That was your uncle, Doug. *His gray ears lay flat against his head*
T. K.: Uncle Doug the Cop?
Neko-Chan: Uh-huh. Said to recant the libel or he has to arrest us.
T. K.: Damn. We don't own Gundam Wing. I do, however, own Ayame Suisei. Heero's nineteen and Ayame is 18, they are in Tokyo and in college. Neko-Chan, give the translations.
Neko-Chan: Translations: Hai: Yes; Nai, No: Iie: NO!; Chikusko: Damn it!; Mattaku no baka: Damned Fool; Wa koi anata: I love you... The I Love You thing may or may not be correct, so if it isn't, please correct us.
T. K.: (Mutters darkly about being related to cops)
----------------------------------------
Heero Yuy sat in his last class of the day, Biology class, listening to the educational tape the professor had playing yammer on about cyanide and how it kills a person, not that Heero didn't already know. One of the perks of being raised by an assassin. Heero stifled a yawn, the urge to lay his head down and make like the rest of the class and fall asleep was beginning to overwhelm him. He felt someone poke him in the shoulder blade with a pencil. He turned to face Ayame Suisei a 5'4" spitfire with long black hair and liquid gold eyes. Ayame held a sheet of paper out to him; he smirked as he read what her writing said.
'Kami-Sama! What a snore... I have violin practice after school (more exciting than this), if you wish to tag along. (Please...) Then we can go to the park and (ugh, I don't believe I'm about to say this) do our home work, if we have any, or just hang (Please, please?) then supper at The Village Cafe (Please, please, Please??)
PLEASE???
Ame'
Heero looked at the sleeping form of Nick Zimmerman in the seat next him to make sure he wasn't spying and started jotting, 'Well, since you've asked me so nicely... I'll tell you my answer after class.
Heero'
He turned to return the note, sitting there half-turned around and watched her read; a smirk crossed the girl's features, she looked up and mouthed okay. He watched her put her head down but knew she wouldn't fall asleep.
Heero and Ayame shared a connection that they couldn't put their fingers on, that allowed them a friendship (and oftentimes more) with out problems. She had told him about being a lieutenant in OZ. That her father had been loyal to Treize till the end and had sent her off to OZ as soon as he possibly could; about advancing quickly to the top and how her life had never been normal, her mother was a drunk; her brother, was to say the least, abusive. That was what she was trying to accomplish here, something normal.
She already knew who Heero was and that he was a Gundam pilot. He had told her about the other pilots, Relena, the missions, the test, and that dying hurts badly. He had also told her that he was trying to lead a normal life as well.
Pretty soon the bell rang and slumbering students rose to find that for once there was no homework.
They had made their way out of the lecture hall and were on their way home when Ayame asked, "Well? Are you coming with me or do I endure violin all by my lonesome?"
Heero looked down the down the road as they walk down then at her and said, "Hnnn, well since I have no homework and the war is over... I guess I'll go."
Ayame looked up. "The war's over?" she asked innocently. "I had no IDEA!"
"You are asking for it today..." Heero warned as they continued walked down the street.
"For what?"
"The tickling of a lifetime," Heero said as he grabbed at her and mercilessly tickled her ribs and back. "Say it! Say my name!" Heero continued as they fell to the ground.
"No, never!" She yelled as they rolled over a lawn, the owner sitting on the porch just stared.
"Aww, come on! Never?" Heero asked tickling harder.
"Okay! Heero!"
"Oh, never?" Heero asked teasing Ayame. She stood and straitened herself and walked away. "Oh come on, Ame. You know I was kidding," Heero said as he walked up to her.
Ayame was smiling, until she looked at her watch. "Chikusko! I'm gonna be late for practice!" she yelled as she broke into a dead run, Heero right behind her.
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"Mrs. Rast, I'm sorry I'm late," Ayame began as she entered the door but soon fell silent to the violin that was already playing. Mrs. Rast was a 20-ish blond with intelligent, but far away looking sky blue eyes, and even though pregnant was a thin woman of 5'7".
"Who's that?" Heero asked quietly, closing the front door to the second floor modest apartment.
"I don't know, it might be her," she said, dropping her voice as well. "Well, time to face the music."
"Literally."
"I was getting to that," Ayame said as she walked into the rehearsal/living room where she saw not Mrs. Rast playing but a blond boy; whom judging from the sound Heero was making, was an old acquaintance.
"Who is that? Wait! Is that Quatre Winner, Heero?" She asked, still whispering. Mrs. Rast and Quatre Winner had yet to notice Heero and Ayame. Grabbing Ayame's arm, Heero made a dash for the door.
Outside, Heero looked behind him and noticed a motorcycle, already started, the rider with his face shield down. "Oh Chikusko!" Heero said and kept running. The motorcycle started after them.
"Heero? Who is it?" Ayame asked, barely keeping pace.
Heero was reluctant to say and he looked behind them to avoid the question, the motorcycle was gaining. "This way!" he yelled as they ducked into an alleyway.
"Heero! Who is that?!" she asked, slowing down as a threat of stopping.
"Another Gundam pilot, Wufei I bet, they've been asking me to come back to the Sanc Kingdom," Heero said and she sped up.
Ayame pulled Heero back and into another alley that made up the labyrinth they were in. "Come on, this way," she said, pulling herself up onto a fire escape; Heero followed suit. The motorcycle past them and she jumped down, landing with the grace of a cat. "We'll go back to my place."
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Back at her uptown apartment. "Well," she said brightly, "at least they don't know where you are." She looked out the window of the fourth floor apartment, and her expression turned serious. "I know OZ was underhanded and filthy at times, and I've also known my share of rebels; as a matter of fact and honor, I was one of both. They weren't like this; I was never like that, even to deserters. Why are these pilots so ambitious?"
Heero sighed, motioned for Ayame to sit on the leather couch beside him and said, "Because they work for Relena Peacecraft." She looked at him as she sat down his expression was solemn.
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Half an hour later, she knew the whole story about Relena Peacecraft. She had been calling him and writing to try and get him to come back to the Sanc Kingdom as her personal body guard for there had been rumors of an uprising of those left over from White Fang and everyone had become worried. Ayame was to say the least stunned. "Heero..." she said.
"Be angry, you can hate me, if you like," Heero said with his head hanging, ashamed that he had kept it from her all this time they were together.
"I'd rather not," she said putting a hand on his shoulder and kissed his cheek.
Heero looked up at her. "You mean you aren't incredibly pissed off at me?"
"Well, not incredibly," Ayame said getting off the couch. "Are you going to run? 'Cause if you are, I'm coming with you."
"Nai, I can't avoid my past forever; I have to confront it... them. Her. See what they want. It could mean war."
"Then, I want to go with you. If it's a war, I want in!"
"What?! Are you crazy? Iie!"
"Please?"
"Iie!"
"Fine," she said, defeated.
"Ayame?"
"Hai, Heero?"
"Don't worry," he said standing up and extending his hand to her, Ayame took it and he pulled her into an embrace. "I'll be back."
"Do you swear?" She asked, nuzzling down into his neck.
"If I have anything to say about it." Ayame looked up, the gleam in his eye said staying in the Sanc Kingdom wasn't an option; she dropped her head back into the crook of his neck. "Promise me you won't go do something stupid like join an army while I'm gone."
"Fine. I at least want to meet them; and see you off," her tone said no was not the answer to give.
"Okay, come on then; let's get this over with," he said heading for the door, Ayame in tow.
Outside, a cold wind blew that chilled their very souls. "It's going to rain," she said off handed. Heero stared straight ahead at what had so soon become his home and was now to be taken away.
"I hate to leave," Heero said earnestly. "I've grown to like this place." Ayame found herself speechless. Heero looked at her, and gave a lopsided grin, which now came easily to his face. "It's not only the place, though."
"Oh, Heero," she said, unable to think of anything else, as he hugged her fiercely.
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Heero and Ayame walked to the place where they lost Wufei, and then to where her lessons had been. There again was the motorcycle, but instead of Wufei on the cycle was Trowa, the same wind that chilled Heero and her, was now warmer and playing lightly with Trowa's hair.
"Hnnn," Heero growled.
"Hello, Heero," Trowa said without emotion.
"Trowa, are you guys looking for me or did Wufei chase me for skill assessment?" Heero replied closing the gap between them.
Trowa chuckled almost noiselessly, then turned serious and asked, "Who's she?"
"I am Ayame Suisei, I wish we could have met under better circumstances," she said extending her right hand and taking his.
"Pleasure to meet you, Suisei was it?" he asked. Shaking her hand briskly. "Nice grip," he said, lips pursing in what was supposed to be a smile.
"Everyone's inside?" Heero asked, although it seemed was more of a statement.
"Hai," Trowa said getting off the motorcycle and walked to the door, Heero and Ayame close on his heels. Trowa opened the door and let them past, catching Heero's eye to ask what Ayame thought she was doing. Heero just shook his head and mouthed later. Ayame just sighed, noticing the exchange and walked on to Mrs. Rast's apartment.
Heero looked at her, Ayame had slipped into soldier mode; head high, shoulders back, stomach in, arms at her sides, steps perfectly timed, he could almost hear her brain say, 'To the left, to the left. To the left, right! Left!' He laughed/sighed and took on his war visage.
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Inside the apartment, Quatre had taken up his violin and was playing a sad piece that she knew well. Introductions had gone around and Ayame was about to leave when the door opened. In stepped Relena Peacecraft and Lucrezia Noin.
"Heero!" Relena cried as she rushed to hug him. Heero was at a loss as he hugged Relena and stared at Ayame. Ayame smiled, turned around and walked out of the door. "Who was that?" Relena asked.
"That was Ayame," Trowa answered. "Heero's friend."
"Heero, where are you going?" Relena continued her question.
"To make sure I don't lose that friend," he said over his shoulder, as he took off down the stairs after her.
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Ayame hadn't wasted anytime getting away from the apartment, she just took off running. The tears started to spill from her eyes and she had to stop running. She didn't want to lose Heero to those people, but she knew that he wouldn't come back; when you are bodyguard for people like that they have a way of getting you to stay. It would be too obvious. She was so busy crying that she never heard the footsteps. "Stop crying," Heero ordered. His voice jarred her back to reality, but Ayame kept crying. "Please? Stop crying," he said again, this time softer. He sat down on the curb next to Ayame and placed his arms around her. Her tears lessened, she quieted. Ayame buried her head into his chest. "There, much better."
"Heero, if you go, you won't come back," She said, voice muffled.
"What makes you say that?" he asked, lifting her head up with his index under her chin.
Ayame breathed deeply, she could smell his after-shave. "Because, this will escalate and suck you in."
"But, the war is over! I just want a----," Heero was saying when she cut him off.
"Normal life. Hai, I know. But in truth, how normal can it be?"
"I don't know. Look," he said pulling himself up and Ayame with him, "you're home. If you think that is how it's going to be, go inside, and forget you ever knew me."
"Iie!" she was completely outraged to the point of tears again, and couldn't believe what he was saying. "You have been here when I needed you most," she said, her small hands feebly pounding his well-muscled chest in a pathetic attempt to inflict some sort of physical pain upon him as he was to her soul. "Heero Yuy, mattaku no baka... you are not some stray cat that comes and goes as it pleases!" Then Ayame looked at her hand splayed on his chest and added, "And I broke a nail! You, you," she found myself at a loss for words and had to repeat herself, "You baka!"
Heero lifted an eyebrow at the analogy and the last statement she made, and then asked, "So do you want me to become a house cat, Ame?"
It was now her turn to arch an eyebrow. "That's kinda it." She knew it was impossible to get him to change his mind about going, so Ayame changed course of action; wiggling out of his embrace, she asked, "Will you at least give me the honor of one last walk up stairs, until you return?"
Heero looked at her and added, "If I return..."
"Well?" she prompted as she had earlier in the day. That conversation seemed like years ago.
Heero opened the door for her as he had so many times before. Ayame walked past him. They arrived at her door and she withdrew her key; Ayame stopped, her key poised to enter the lock when she couldn't find the power to push it on in. When that door opened he was gone; when; if ever, would he be back? She felt his impatience grow quickly, then he relaxed and took her hand in his. He pushed the key in and she felt the lock click. Ayame turned back to Heero and rested her head on his chest, his heart strong and regular; unlike hers, which was faint, and about to break. Heero lifted her head up and kissed her lips. Not so much of a kiss as a mere touch, she yearned for more but he had to leave. "Heero?" Ayame's voice sounded strangled and awkward to her own ears.
"Hai?"
She felt as though she might not even be able to articulate the right words. "Please for the love of the Heavens above us... Come home! There is so much here waiting for you." Heero looked her in the eyes and opened the door. She again felt tears and wanted to run away to her room and shut herself away from the cruel world without a second thought. "Wa koi anata, I've finally found a life here... I hope you've found one as well."
Heero started walking. "I have, so, I'll return," he said. Outside the storm broke with the fury of hell.
