BACK TO SCHOOL !

Author's Notes

Note that I don't own ANY of the characters throughout the fanfic. * sob *

Don't flame me for any pairings and there's no yaoi for you people out there ! 0_0'

***

It was a Saturday afternoon when Trowa left his room to meet his not-so-secret admirer at the Grand Podium. Stuffing the all-too-familiar light pastel green envelope into his bag, he wondered how he should break the news to her. Remembering her shy smile and lively eyes, he thought it was perhaps too cruel to shatter her hopes in an instant.

[ What choice do I have anyway ? I'm not worthy of her pure feelings ]

" Barton-kun ! "

Yuko jumped up happily from the bench she was sitting on as she waved to catch the quiet soldier's attention. Trowa managed a small smile as he strolled over to her. The sky was a brilliant bright blue and fluffy white clouds were crawling lazily towards nowhere. A light breeze brushed past them as Trowa greeted her politely.

" Barton-kun … I'm … I'm REALLY glad you came. "

Trowa did not reply as he casually sat down beside her on the same bench, careful to keep a safe distance away.

" After you received … erm … that letter I gave you … "

Yuko nervously bit her lip and shot a worried glance at Trowa who did not seem to react negatively. Swallowing a lump in her throat, she plucked up more courage to continue.

" Well … erm … it's … it's just that I haven't received a reply from you … and … "

" No. "

The answer was quiet, straightforward and somewhat cold. Trowa had no expression on his face as he uttered that single word which rendered Yuko speechless … with utmost disappointment and sadness. Quiet sobs started to rise from the shivering body beside him as he continued to look up to the skies above.

" Kusanagi-san … "

Trowa turned sideways to look at the inconsolable girl, now feeling remorseful for causing so much hurt in the young girl.

" Listen Kusanagi-san, I don't hate you nor do I dislike you … "

" … then … then why … ? "

" I'm .. I'm not the perfect person to fall in love with .. that's the truth. I have too much secrets and a shady past. No woman will be happy with me. "

" I'm not asking you to marry me ! "

" I know, but you do want a happy relationship .. to say the least isn't it ? "

" I don't care ! "

Trowa stared at the adamant girl in front of him, feeling thoroughly amazed. She seemed to hold no two hoots about the world evolving around her and the firey determination in her eyes were clearly shown as she glared back at him.

" What is it in me that you liked anyway ? "

This caused Yuko to blush a little despite her tear-stricken face and she looked away, not knowing how to react.

" It's .. it's your silence .. "

Trowa raised an eyebrow in surprise.

[ This is the first time someone liked me because of my … silence … ]

" I could sense it because you're the same as me … you're always lost in your thoughts, thinking of faraway things and matters that seemed to be out of reach and beyond your control. You're always pensive, as though you needed somebody to sit down with you and have a good hearty chat. You wanted someone to be with you but you don't want to let that someone know too much about you. You'll be content if you have someone just to be by your side … isn't it ? "

As Trowa peered into Yuko's deep brown eyes, he thought he saw the reflection of someone else. He was surprised … surprised that HE had wanted it to be her.

[ Catherine ]

She was smiling warmly back at him, laughing at his movements when he stumbled clumsily over some boxes on the floor, crying when he was hurt or missing, angry when he was acting recklessly with his life, anxious when he took off with Heavyarms.

[ She had always been there ]

" Kusanagi-san, I will always be appreciative of your feelings towards me. I do not think of it as a hindrance … but … but I think I will maintain my answer because … because … "

Yuko stared at him wordlessly, waiting for him to continue.

" My heart is with someone else. "

Yuko glanced down again on the ground as Trowa handed her back the envelope he had kept.

" I did not throw this away since I intended to return it to you. I hope that you'll find a real boy who will return your feelings. "

Yuko nodded and wiped the remaining tears from her eyes. As they stood up to leave, Trowa caressed her head in a brotherly fashion and smiled tenderly to her.

" I want to thank you .. Kusanagi Yuko .. you'll always be in a special place in my heart. "

RING ! RING !

" Hai .. Winner speaking .. "

" Quatre ? "

" Dorothy ! "

" Have you received my parcel yet ? "

" Yes I did, thank you very much. "

" Ah, don't be so formal with me. "

Quatre laughed lightly as Dorothy chided him yet again in their telephone conversations. Dorothy had enrolled into one of the top Ivy League Schools in the Sanc Kingdom but not in their College, mentioning something about diversity. She had been on one of the newspaper's headlines a few months ago for being the youngest girl to win the annual fencing championships this year.

" So how's your essay on Strategic War Enhancements for The 21st Century going ? "

" Bad … I've been partying too much lately and so I'm a little behind schedule. The people around this city are too warm for studies's sake and I really should lock myself up and start intensive revision soon. "

Quatre laughed again, thoroughly enjoying the talk with Dorothy. She had changed to become a warm lovable girl with intellect to match him and they enjoyed friendly competitions by playing strategic games on the internet when they had time. Having been humbled by her defeat before, thanks to Quatre, she was now modest and sensitive to other people's feelings.

" Glad that you're having so much fun over there … "

" How have you been then, Quatre ? "

" Still pretty much the same really .. although the tension between Relena and Heero can be fun to watch. "

" They're still dragging matters ?? "

" Very much so. "

" Aren't you and Duo going to help out ? "

" We tried everything … but it seemed to backfire badly once. We decided to let things go naturally. "

Dorothy laughed in exasperation gently, shaking her head as she did so.

" Oh boy .. if Noin, Hilde and I were there, we'll end it all in one or two days perhaps. "

" Why are you so sure ? "

" Women has a different approach to such sensitive matters. Even our perfect soldier will not be able to withstand it. "

Quatre smiled as he pictured a cornered Heero with three big towering figures over him.

" I'd love to see that. "

" Hey ! Since our semester tests are approaching, we can actually get together for a week or two during the holidays after that ! What do you say ? "

" We ? You mean just you and me … or with the rest ? "

" Quatre ! "

Dorothy blushed on the other side as Quatre laughed apologetically. She liked it when Quatre had loosened up after the war and shown to her his more jovial side. Nothing could ever make up for the hurt she had caused to him when she injured him so long ago but it haunted her still and she wanted to repay for such an act the best she could do. In trying to find out more about him and spending so much time around him caused her to fall for him … slightly but surely. She had never gathered enough courage to ask him about her, so she was content to be his ' good friend '. She had changed dramatically throughout her time with Quatre as they chose schools and quarrelled over disagreements. They went sightseeing in many cities and challenged each other to chess games spontaneously. Her appearance had altered too … gone were her trademark eyebrows … settling for ' normal ' ones. Her long blonde hair was reduced to a nice shoulder-lengthed hair with bangs and she started wearing black metallic frames to complete the new look before she enrolled into College at the same time as Quatre.

" Okay Dorothy, I'm sorry about that … don't regard me as a pervert or something ! I'll let the rest know about this … I'm sure they'll like it too. "

" Right ! So … I guess we'll have to say farewell until the next time … "

" … so fast … ? "

" Yeah, I have loads to catch up .. remember ? "

" Hai … well then … goodbye and … take care … "

" Goodbye Quatre .. "

CLICK

Quatre stared at the receiver a little longingly before he gently replaced it. He did not know exactly when he had started to feel slightly more for the ex-ambitious and power-hungry girl but her startling change rendered her so much more appealing to him as they spent more time together. Quatre did not know that it was due to his influence that Dorothy had taken on a more soulful side of herself and all he knew was that he was hopelessly attracted to her when they separated to go onto their own paths.

[ Stupid huh .. I had to wait until the day itself to realise my feelings ]

Quatre fingered the ornament that Dorothy had posted to him. He had always wanted a small violin timepiece to display on his table and she had chosen a beautiful one for him. His eyes closed in pain as he held it to his chest, mouthing her name.

Trowa stared at the black watery mess on the kitchen table as he had absent-mindledly poured too much coffee into his mug. Feeling totally empty on the contrary, he snatched the rug hanging on the wall and started to clean up. He could not forget the sudden impact Yuko's words had on him earlier. Now, he was totally disorientated as he tried to struggle through the day. He had never felt like retiring to bed at 6 pm before but now he truly wanted to. He refused to check his emails at all, knowing that the name will render him helpless all over again. He was in denial .. he wanted to escape .. but where ? As he sloshed the rug into the sink to wash it, his eyes caught a slightly dazed Quatre walking through the door. An inner instinct told him not to greet him today, sensing that he wasn't in a right state of mind as well.

[ It could probably be what Kusanagi had meant … a person could feel another person holding the same feelings ]

Trowa's eyes followed Quatre as he made his way to his cabinet and listlessly took out his loaf of bread from the second shelf. He half-heartedly took out 2 slices and placed them into the toaster. As he turned around, his eyes reflected some surprise as he saw Trowa looking back at him. Merely smiling and nodding his head, he turned back to the toaster. Soon, he brought out some butter and spread it across the toasted slices gently and purposefully. Trowa could sense that his heart was already somewhere else but he chose to continue doing his own business. After all, it was unlike Quatre not to greet someone by words, rather than just nodding his head. It was not too long after that when Quatre quietly went out of the kitchen and Trowa replaced the loaf of bread onto Quatre's shelf for him.

[ It sure isn't a good day for either of us ]

Author's Ramblings :

Hohoho ! I've finally paired Quatre and Dorothy up … and Trowa and Catherine … I know some will regard Trowa and Catherine as siblings but I will put them as unrelated in this fic to make things go more smoothly. Hmm … don't be offended okay ? As usual, please read and REVIEW !! Don't just read and take off !! ^___-