BACK TO SCHOOL !
( The Vacation Saga )
Author's Notes
Note that I don't own ANY of the characters throughout the fanfic. * sob *
***
Trowa returned to his room and was slightly surprised to find Catherine missing. It was 11 pm when he had finally decided to leave Duo and Wufei in the Games Room where the trio were pitting their skills on King of Fighters 2001. He had hardly played since the both of them were busy cursing and shouting at each other all through. Tiredly, he opened the wardobe door and languidly picked out his night clothings to prepare for the night. The door opened and Catherine stepped in lightly, her smile always available and sincere.
" Preparing for bed already ? "
Trowa nodded as he closed the wardobe door softly. Catherine's smile turned a tad mischievous as she eyed the dark grey attire in his hands.
" Gee, I didn't know you liked Snoopy. "
Trowa looked down at the logo imprinted on the shirt and he smiled amusedly.
" Quatre gave this set to me 2 months ago, before we had our examinations. I figured he realised that I had no decent attires for the night. "
" Not that you cared anyway, huh ? "
Trowa smiled again and walked towards the bathroom to change. There was some silence as Trowa changed in almost quick movements, a habit carved from experiencing the bitterness of war. Trowa was a quiet person, hardly anyone knew what he was really thinking about. He smiled, talked, hardly laughed and on the whole was more amicable than Heero. However, Heero made no qualms about his comments or criticisms. If he hated you, he did and he wouldn't hide it. If he liked you, he would be all uncertain and would avoid you. In fact, Heero was more readable with his extreme emotions. Trowa was neutral to everyone. No one knew what he thought of others, or of the entire existence he had been through. He told no one, he showed nothing and he was just … blank.
" Uh .. "
Trowa muttered almost in shock as he stumbled onto a half-naked Catherine. The girl was changing while he was in the bathroom, figuring that he would take some time in it.
" Trowa ! "
SLAM !!
Trowa retreated into the bathroom, his eyes as big as saucers (!). Never had he walked into such an embarrassing situation and he felt his face burning up.
[ What am I supposed to do now ?! ]
Random thoughts ran through his mind like a train at full speed. Maybe he should never walk out of the bathroom again. Maybe he should just hide somewhere and never appear again in front of Catherine. Maybe he should let her dig his eyes out. He was absolutely petrified. He was older now, but it didn't mean to say that he was an experienced cool guy who knew his way around women and especially … half-naked ones.
[ Dang ]
Trowa smacked his head involuntarily at the last thought and chided himself.
[ She's like your sister, for heaven's sake ]
Trowa immediately felt his mind correcting him, although he wished it didn't. He was running away from the insistent mental image of Catherine NOT being his sister figure. Ever since Yuko's appearance, he had been fighting against the seemingly incestous desire which had seemed to build up over the long months, being away from her. He suddenly missed her voice, her comforting words, her delightful laughter, her playful arguments with the Ringmaster …
" Trowa ? "
His heart truthfully stopped at the questioning tone from Catherine, right outside the door separating them.
" Don't be guilty, it wasn't your fault. Come on out now. "
Trowa couldn't. He knew he couldn't face her. All those erronous thoughts were still floating merrily in his head and he felt like a sinful person to face her now. No, not now.
" I'd like to be alone. "
" … … oh … … "
Trowa heard Catherine shuffle away from the door towards the bed. He caught the sound of the bed creaking as he pictured Catherine slipping in-between the covers.
[ Slipping in bed here ?!! ]
Trowa's mind reeled as he remembered that they were to share the bed tonight from now on. Quatre and Dorothy were happy to use one ever since their surprising confessions this afternoon. Catherine was " forced " to sleep in the room now. Together.
He had ran off to avoid seeing her the whole day, eventually becoming absorbed into those 21-hit combos Duo had been dishing out on Wufei and those super KO hits Wufei used in retaliation with wicked glee. How could he have forgotten such an important and earth-shattering issue ?
" Trowa ? Aren't you sleepy ? "
He froze, wishing that he had taken refuge in one of the rooms in the huge holiday resort. He knew he didn't want to and he realised this could be what Heero had felt as well. Half cursing his twisted mind and half hoping for someone to rescue him, he stepped back into the main room and closed the bathroom door gently.
Catherine was propped comfortably against the pillows and reading a novel. Apparently she wasn't mindful of the impending night and Trowa felt stupid for being so over-reactive. It wasn't like him anyway ! His brain hardly worked to a steam and he had never felt so unsure before. He decided that he disliked it.
" Heero, I just received a call from Onii-san. "
" Zechs ? "
" Hai, he said that they had arrived at the base already. Noin-san demanded to shop around the downtown area first so he said they'll come first thing in the morning tomorrow. "
" Ah. "
Heero nodded and resumed his attention to his laptop placed on his legs. He was lying in bed with Relena beside him, the latter being occupied with writing her latest entry in her diary. Although they really hadn't noticed, but the intended gap between them had lessened night after night, so that they were perpetually side-by-side comfortably.
" I'm so bushed, the girls were playing Monopoly and we had so much fun renaming all the streets and changing the rules to our own satisfaction. It made the whole thing more quirky ! "
"Quirky ? "
Heero echoed and raised an eyebrow as he turned to look at Relena.
" Whoops … I think I've been hanging around Hilde too much … "
Relena laughed sheepishly and stuck out her tongue at herself. Little did she know that Heero was also silently laughing at her antics.
" How much are you selling this for ? "
" 30. "
" I'll take it. "
Noin smiled as she jiggled her newest addition to her shopping cart a.k.a Zechs and continued to prowl the streets. Zechs groaned as her eyes caught the big slogan of the four-letter word .. SALE ..
He couldn't wait to get back to their hotel. They had booked a room in one of the hotels in this shopping area for tourists and local residents hundreds of miles away from the resort. The distance was pacifying for them as they wanted privacy but Noin was so adamant of shopping first, knowing that it would be difficult to get Zechs to leave the resort once they settled down.
" Zechs ! Come over here ! Let me try this T-shirt for you ! "
It was going to be a long night.
" Trowa, are you still troubled by what happened earlier ? "
" Err .. .. "
Silence.
" You really don't need to be worried about it. It's not like you're an outsider or something like that ! "
Trowa remained quiet, not knowing how to react.
" So tell me about this Yuko-san. "
" Huh ? "
" I heard it from Relena. "
" Oh .. "
" You can't even share this with me ? "
Obvious hurt was in her eyes as she questioned warily, wanting an answer from him.
" Of .. of course I can .. "
" Good, then tell me. "
" She's a girl in my class. Quiet, unassuming, a very nice .. "
" No Trowa .. I want to know what you FEEL towards the girl. "
" Feel ? "
" Do you .. like her ? "
" I rejected her. "
Catherine was silent for a while, letting the answer sink in.
" Why ? "
[ Because the first thing I thought about was you ]
" … … … "
" Trowa ? "
" I .. I don't see her as a girlfriend material. I'm not worthy .. "
" Trowa ! Don't you ever say that again ! You're worthy to be anyone's special person ! "
The anger in Catherine rose as she berated at him again, time and time chiding him about his thoughts. Then as usual, the anger would melt away into the soft, protective and gentle cacoon Catherine weaved specially for him as she cradled him into her arms and stroke his soft brown hair comfortingly.
" Catherine .. "
" Hmm ? "
" Actually .. I .. "
Catherine released him from her magical hold and looked squarely into his eyes, waiting for his complete words.
" Yes Trowa ? "
" I … I thought of you … "
" Huh ? "
" I … I saw your face … when .. when .. Kusanagi-san .. "
Catherine's face was slowly showing her realisation of what Trowa was about to say. She wasn't especially dim-witted when it came to such matters and she prided herself on being on close terms with Trowa.
" Trowa, do you .. do you mean to say .. ? "
" I .. "
Trowa gulped down the sudden lump on his throat and tried to soothe the furiously-pumping heart of his.
" I don't know exactly .. but .. I don't think I can love anyone .. you're like my sister but .. but recently .. I'm so confused .. "
Trowa let out a ragged sigh as he was in turmoil. He had never been good with words and he was struggling evidently. Catherine smiled ever so gently and held his hands.
" Trowa, thank you for trying. I think .. I think I know what you mean. We'll take it slow, all right ? Until you've finally realised what you really want, we'll just .. take it slow .. is this fine ? "
He had never felt so loved and understood at this point.
Author's Ramblings :
I've never felt more relieved .. with my last essay submitted today before Easter holidays arrive !! I'm sorry for the long delay and the crappy new chapter .. I'm apparently not too good dealing with Trowa + Catherine. Any comments ? Please review !!
13th March 2002
