Author's Notes:
Thanks as usual to Li-chan and Chibi-sora, and thanks to everyone who
reviewed. Thanks to the ones who said this was really sweet and sad and
thanks to the ones who said so much wonderful things about my stories. And
another thing: Several people asked me to add a bit of shounen ai, but I'm
sorry, that's not my specialty. I like more to picture 01 and 02 as close
friends. The fact that Duo slept in Heero's arms doesn't mean more than
friends' fondness, k? And sorry for the delay, my studies are taking the
most from me. Here's the conclusion now:
"Facing a Past's Shadow"
Final Chapter
Blue eyes snapped open as Heero felt something.....the loss of something. He was still reclined on the bed headboard, though a blanket had been placed over him. He was alone in the room.
He stood up and looked around. A white t-shirt and gray pajama pants were on the floor, which meant Duo had already changed clothes from last night.
"He usually does this. When I'm not looking, he runs" -Heero murmured a bit disappointed.
But why? His mind answered him immediately:
'He might be feeling very confused, if not ashamed. I am not also sure what to do when I found him. What will he say? What will I say? I just hope he's feeling better...'
He exited the room and started wandering in the ship's halls. Dawn was coming to life slowly. The sea ship was silent and desert. Surely everyone there was still sleeping.
Heero headed towards the deck, as his glance was fixed on the sea beyond the railings. The water was calm, a deep swaying blue dancing with the breeze's rhythm. Nothing perturbed the tranquil atmosphere, until a soft voice reached Heero's ears.
".....hope you can understand. I am remaining true to my word, so I've come to give it a farewell...."
The Wing pilot continued with quiet steps. In front of the railings, in the furthest part of the prow, was standing a teen clad in a black suit. A familiar black suit with white priestly collar. There was a shining silver cross on his chest. His hair was prisoner of the confining braid, which moved slightly with the wisps of wind.
"........even if it's hard, I promised you to let it go if I broke my promise........"
The Japanese boy could only grasp pieces of the monologue, as he got closer. Duo's voice was not muffled or shaky. It was soft, and almost sweet, as if filled with sympathy.
".......just as scary as before. I could hear all of you. Forgive me for forcing you to live with me that hell again......"
The amethyst eyes were fixed on the sea, as if he could see someone in the distance. Heero was some meters behind now, and until then, he noticed one of Duo's hand was holding some brilliant object in front of himself.
"........remember? I know all of you understand I couldn't stand it anymore. I couldn't even breathe a second more. I'm just so.....relieved, that I didn't drown in pain. I was about to, but I guess you still take care about me and sent me a savior......"
To the victims, to his beloved Sister, to the Father, Heero concluded. Duo was talking to them. The boy was asking forgiveness for having broken down the night before.
'I remember once.....'- Heero mused- 'When Duo told me about how the plague had killed his gang and his friend Solo, he told me he couldn't drop the mask because he would break a promise....'
"So, I've come to pay the price. It's time to let this behind and start again. I don't know if I will miss it, because after all, it was a part of me during a long time....."
As he spoke those words, Duo lifted his hand to see the shining object one more time. One last time. He closed his eyes for an instant, as in reflection.
Heero's stare locked in the object. It was little, with a yellowish shine. Blue eyes narrowed. It was a ......bronze key.
A key??!! The KEY???!!
Violet eyes opened again and, in a quick movement, the hand drew backwards and then forward, throwing the key to the sea's depths.
"Duo, no!" -Heero exclaimed, surprised by the action, as he practically bolted on his feet, running towards the railing, with the intention to jump and recover the key.
But two slender arms held him back in firm grasp.
"Let it go, Heero" -Duo said as both of them observed how the shining piece disappeared into deep waters.
Heero turned to see him, his eyes totally confused.
"What.....what did you do?" -he asked almost in protest- "Duo" -he said, taking hold of 02's shoulders as to see him better - "That was 'the' key. It was...the only thing you had that related you to your origin. It was...the first thing you ever had. It could have lead you to your parents...Solo called you after it...."
Duo's face was serious as he nodded to everything Heero said.
"You're right. It was all that" -the American pilot affirmed- "Guess I will miss it after all" -he added as he looked towards the sea once again- "But I made a promise, Heero. I would hold the smile as much as I could. I wouldn't...let grief overcome me. I promised them, you know?" -Duo murmured.
He paused, none of them moving in the spot.
"I promised them my key. When you make a promise, you have to make it upon something you value, or the promise isn't important. As I kept my past hid inside of me, I could keep the key. But now....I broke the promise, Heero"
"I....didn't know. I'm sorry" -Heero said, feeling guilty he had been partly responsible for Duo's cracking.
"It's okay. I needed to let it go. It's a symbol of my past. I need to put that awful part of my past away, or won't be able to stand and continue" -Duo said with a sigh.
Heero vaguely nodded, staring at the horizon. He turned to see his friend, and he was rewarded with a smile in the delicate features.
"You are such a good friend, you knew it?" -the tenor voice suddenly said- "I'm sorry you had to baby-sit me" -he said with another smile, comfortable enough to crack a joke- "Thanks" -he said the single word, in that tone of his that seemed to light the whole place up.
"I'm glad you're feeling better" -Heero answered, his lips curving a little, relieved to have his friend back.
"Isn't a smile much better?" -the boy in clerical clothes said hugging him briefly.
"Hn" -Heero answered, drawing the American back to study his face- "Only when it's not hiding things. When it is true, Duo, I agree"
Duo's smile rapidly turned in soft laughter. Trust Heero to be the philosopher. He took a couple of steps back and turned to face the sea, his hands on the railing.
//////////When white stars fall upon earth................... and cold is at my heart calling...................... when you don't see how cozy winter can be.............. how can I stop smiling?..................////////////
And Duo tilted his face again the sea breeze of morning, Heero beside him, listening to every word said in soft English.
////////////When a dying flower closes her eyes................. and colored petals go away flying................... when a soft wind brings you a flower's scent........... how can I stop smiling? ................///////////////
One pale hand released the metal to make its way towards the boy's chest, gripping the cross.
/////////////////When a tear turns into a smile................. and among dark is a light shining............... when the smile talks about a miracle............. how can I stop smiling? ................////////
Slowly, Duo opened his eyes, taking into the view of the sun blooming from the sea. He felt the blue gaze upon him, so he finished:
/////////////When a storm darkens a blue sky................. To my faith my heart is relying................... And since my faith is built over a smile.............. How can I stop smiling?.................////////////
The L2 youngster sighed happily as he faced his friend. He understood what Heero meant by his gestures.
And Heero's smile told him: 'I know'
The End.
***Shinigami's Voice***
Author's Notes: That's the price. I told you it was necessary for you to understand this story that you first read "Musings" , which is the fic that explains the meaning of the key. I just thought it was better for Duo to let go of it, because it's like a reminder of how he was the key for Death to take his friends away.
Well, I know this is short, but it's the conclusion, so forgive me about it. I also couldn't picture how was Duo going to face the other pilots, but if any of you has ideas to make an epilogue, I'll be grateful. Hope you guys like this fic. Please, leave me a review. Don't go without giving me a comment. Reviews are my greatest joy. Please, nice people, review, k?
I am dying to do a one-part kind of songfic about Duo playing the guitar, would you guys like to come and read it? Next fic is "Lyrics from the Soul" .....I promise it will be touching.
"Facing a Past's Shadow"
Final Chapter
Blue eyes snapped open as Heero felt something.....the loss of something. He was still reclined on the bed headboard, though a blanket had been placed over him. He was alone in the room.
He stood up and looked around. A white t-shirt and gray pajama pants were on the floor, which meant Duo had already changed clothes from last night.
"He usually does this. When I'm not looking, he runs" -Heero murmured a bit disappointed.
But why? His mind answered him immediately:
'He might be feeling very confused, if not ashamed. I am not also sure what to do when I found him. What will he say? What will I say? I just hope he's feeling better...'
He exited the room and started wandering in the ship's halls. Dawn was coming to life slowly. The sea ship was silent and desert. Surely everyone there was still sleeping.
Heero headed towards the deck, as his glance was fixed on the sea beyond the railings. The water was calm, a deep swaying blue dancing with the breeze's rhythm. Nothing perturbed the tranquil atmosphere, until a soft voice reached Heero's ears.
".....hope you can understand. I am remaining true to my word, so I've come to give it a farewell...."
The Wing pilot continued with quiet steps. In front of the railings, in the furthest part of the prow, was standing a teen clad in a black suit. A familiar black suit with white priestly collar. There was a shining silver cross on his chest. His hair was prisoner of the confining braid, which moved slightly with the wisps of wind.
"........even if it's hard, I promised you to let it go if I broke my promise........"
The Japanese boy could only grasp pieces of the monologue, as he got closer. Duo's voice was not muffled or shaky. It was soft, and almost sweet, as if filled with sympathy.
".......just as scary as before. I could hear all of you. Forgive me for forcing you to live with me that hell again......"
The amethyst eyes were fixed on the sea, as if he could see someone in the distance. Heero was some meters behind now, and until then, he noticed one of Duo's hand was holding some brilliant object in front of himself.
"........remember? I know all of you understand I couldn't stand it anymore. I couldn't even breathe a second more. I'm just so.....relieved, that I didn't drown in pain. I was about to, but I guess you still take care about me and sent me a savior......"
To the victims, to his beloved Sister, to the Father, Heero concluded. Duo was talking to them. The boy was asking forgiveness for having broken down the night before.
'I remember once.....'- Heero mused- 'When Duo told me about how the plague had killed his gang and his friend Solo, he told me he couldn't drop the mask because he would break a promise....'
"So, I've come to pay the price. It's time to let this behind and start again. I don't know if I will miss it, because after all, it was a part of me during a long time....."
As he spoke those words, Duo lifted his hand to see the shining object one more time. One last time. He closed his eyes for an instant, as in reflection.
Heero's stare locked in the object. It was little, with a yellowish shine. Blue eyes narrowed. It was a ......bronze key.
A key??!! The KEY???!!
Violet eyes opened again and, in a quick movement, the hand drew backwards and then forward, throwing the key to the sea's depths.
"Duo, no!" -Heero exclaimed, surprised by the action, as he practically bolted on his feet, running towards the railing, with the intention to jump and recover the key.
But two slender arms held him back in firm grasp.
"Let it go, Heero" -Duo said as both of them observed how the shining piece disappeared into deep waters.
Heero turned to see him, his eyes totally confused.
"What.....what did you do?" -he asked almost in protest- "Duo" -he said, taking hold of 02's shoulders as to see him better - "That was 'the' key. It was...the only thing you had that related you to your origin. It was...the first thing you ever had. It could have lead you to your parents...Solo called you after it...."
Duo's face was serious as he nodded to everything Heero said.
"You're right. It was all that" -the American pilot affirmed- "Guess I will miss it after all" -he added as he looked towards the sea once again- "But I made a promise, Heero. I would hold the smile as much as I could. I wouldn't...let grief overcome me. I promised them, you know?" -Duo murmured.
He paused, none of them moving in the spot.
"I promised them my key. When you make a promise, you have to make it upon something you value, or the promise isn't important. As I kept my past hid inside of me, I could keep the key. But now....I broke the promise, Heero"
"I....didn't know. I'm sorry" -Heero said, feeling guilty he had been partly responsible for Duo's cracking.
"It's okay. I needed to let it go. It's a symbol of my past. I need to put that awful part of my past away, or won't be able to stand and continue" -Duo said with a sigh.
Heero vaguely nodded, staring at the horizon. He turned to see his friend, and he was rewarded with a smile in the delicate features.
"You are such a good friend, you knew it?" -the tenor voice suddenly said- "I'm sorry you had to baby-sit me" -he said with another smile, comfortable enough to crack a joke- "Thanks" -he said the single word, in that tone of his that seemed to light the whole place up.
"I'm glad you're feeling better" -Heero answered, his lips curving a little, relieved to have his friend back.
"Isn't a smile much better?" -the boy in clerical clothes said hugging him briefly.
"Hn" -Heero answered, drawing the American back to study his face- "Only when it's not hiding things. When it is true, Duo, I agree"
Duo's smile rapidly turned in soft laughter. Trust Heero to be the philosopher. He took a couple of steps back and turned to face the sea, his hands on the railing.
//////////When white stars fall upon earth................... and cold is at my heart calling...................... when you don't see how cozy winter can be.............. how can I stop smiling?..................////////////
And Duo tilted his face again the sea breeze of morning, Heero beside him, listening to every word said in soft English.
////////////When a dying flower closes her eyes................. and colored petals go away flying................... when a soft wind brings you a flower's scent........... how can I stop smiling? ................///////////////
One pale hand released the metal to make its way towards the boy's chest, gripping the cross.
/////////////////When a tear turns into a smile................. and among dark is a light shining............... when the smile talks about a miracle............. how can I stop smiling? ................////////
Slowly, Duo opened his eyes, taking into the view of the sun blooming from the sea. He felt the blue gaze upon him, so he finished:
/////////////When a storm darkens a blue sky................. To my faith my heart is relying................... And since my faith is built over a smile.............. How can I stop smiling?.................////////////
The L2 youngster sighed happily as he faced his friend. He understood what Heero meant by his gestures.
And Heero's smile told him: 'I know'
The End.
***Shinigami's Voice***
Author's Notes: That's the price. I told you it was necessary for you to understand this story that you first read "Musings" , which is the fic that explains the meaning of the key. I just thought it was better for Duo to let go of it, because it's like a reminder of how he was the key for Death to take his friends away.
Well, I know this is short, but it's the conclusion, so forgive me about it. I also couldn't picture how was Duo going to face the other pilots, but if any of you has ideas to make an epilogue, I'll be grateful. Hope you guys like this fic. Please, leave me a review. Don't go without giving me a comment. Reviews are my greatest joy. Please, nice people, review, k?
I am dying to do a one-part kind of songfic about Duo playing the guitar, would you guys like to come and read it? Next fic is "Lyrics from the Soul" .....I promise it will be touching.