Be My Friend?
Chapter 15: Alone I Cannot Walk
Kattie
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing.
Warning!: Chapters contain extreme angst, violence, and thematic elements. Profanity goes beyond a minimum amount. Dark scenes of great depression that are not appropriate for children and extreme angst.
Note: Sorry for the wait. This is the final chapter. It was really hard ending a three-part series. Man, I'm going to start crying.
Dedication: To Emily, who always has to wait for me.
By the time Quatre regained his sense of the present, he was in a completely different place. The entire colony seemed to speed by him, from his position in the passenger's seat of some kind of vehicle. Block after block disappeared behind him, only to leave more ahead. The people on each street continued on with their lives, paying no attention to the second when they might look at the road and see Quatre's tear-stained face.
Bouken's eyes didn't stray from the road. He had no reason to watch Quatre, to make sure he wouldn't try to escape or attack him. Quatre's wrists were tied behind the lower part of his backrest, pinning him against the seat. It was an awkward position, and put a painful strain on Quatre's arms. When he shifted to see if he might free his hands, a pain seared down his back.
"Awake, love?" Bouken questioned, "We're almost there."
Quatre wanted to ask where they were going, but the gag in his mouth made it impossible. It would probably be too hard to think up the words anyway.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
When they finally reached their destination, Quatre was untied and Bouken carried him within his arms, into the building before them. Although Quatre was too dazed to fully comprehend the scene surrounding him, he was able to make out the sign along the buildings front.
"Winner Corporation".
Bouken leaned Quatre's head against his shoulder so it would appear as though Quatre was sick or hurt, and needed to be held in order to be transported. Quatre could smell his hair and it reeked of blood.
Carefully, Bouken proceeded to enter the building, clutching Quatre tighter as he did so. "Time to face her," he murmured to himself, "Shit."
His pace slowing significantly, Bouken continued to the front desk, his eyes fixed upon the young woman sitting there. Quatre could feel him begin to tremble slightly.
As they grew near, the woman looked up and Quatre recognized her as Cindy. If he'd had the strength to experience emotions, he would have been terrified. Despite his repulsion towards Bouken, he wouldn't leave his arms for all the world. Not in this position.
A grin came to her face as she recognized the two men. "Welcome to Winner Corporation," she said teasingly, "How may I help you?"
Bouken glared back at her. "You could step outside and get yourself run over."
At this, Cindy laughed, sweeping her hair from side to side as she did so. "Hostile as ever. Have you brought me a present?" She questioned, her gaze falling upon Quatre.
Pulling Quatre even closer to him, Bouken grunted a "no".
"Pity," Cindy replied, sitting far back in her chair, "I might've forgiven you."
His face contorting into a scowl, Bouken spoke to her again, "We need to come to an agreement. We can't both-"
"Yes we can," Cindy interrupted, "Perhaps we should go somewhere more private to talk this out."
Glancing around at the semi-crowded room, Bouken nodded. "I have over thirty men outside," he lied, "I wouldn't suggest trying anything."
With a slight grin, Cindy replied, "You're no fun." Before leading him to a nearby side room.
"Ms. Winner, I'm going to be perfectly honest with you," Bouken began as they situated themselves within the room. He had sat upon a couch that was perpendicular to a closed window and set Quatre down next to him, clutching his hand all the while, "You aren't a real threat to me anymore. Your men have been defeated. I just want you to leave us alone now. So, maybe we can come to an arrangement?"
Cindy nodded. "If you leave my brother here, I'll let you live."
Obviously growing agitated, Bouken took a deep breath. "You know I can't do that."
"Yes, you can," Cindy explained, standing, "It's really quite easy. All you have to do is leave." Her eyes fell upon his chest where a small, red beam had planted itself. "Do I make myself clear?"
Glancing toward the window, Bouken gave Cindy the most hateful look Quatre had ever seen. "You bitch."
A shrill noise sounded through the room as the glass of the window shattered and Bouken grasped his shoulder, his other hand remaining within Quatre's. Wincing from the pain, he turned to look at Quatre and then fixed his eyes upon Cindy again with a greater look of determination.
Cindy's grin seemed to cover her entire face, showing itself most clearly within her eyes. "Are you really going to make me kill you? It's so cruel."
"Y-you.. Will." Bouken tried to speak but he seemed to have trouble concentrating on the words.
"What will I do?" Cindy asked with a laugh, "Tell me before there isn't time to."
"You.. You'll die." Producing one of the guns he had commandeered from the pilots, he proceeded to fire one bullet off, which planted itself in her neck.
She died instantly, with a smile placed firmly on her blood-covered lips.
"Get down!" Bouken yelled, throwing himself and Quatre onto the ground.
A second shot from the unseen sniper zipped through the room. It hit the couch and sent some of its contents floating through the air.
Bouken responded by shooting two random shots from his gun in the direction of the gunman. "Damn damn damn." He repeated over and over, like a mantra.
Quatre's eyes remained on his sister's corpse, the picture engraving itself in his memory a thousand times fold. She continued to smile as every second passed, unable to discontinue the expression, even after death. Her eyes were wide-open and staring back at Quatre.
Bullets continued to ring, leaving the room and coming to it. Bouken continued dodging but had already obtained two more wounds, on his shoulder and arm. His face was drenched with sweat and he looked as though he would soon begin crying.
"Get out, Quatre." he said finally, letting two more bullets dance through the window. He looked over at Quatre and let a single tear escape from a bruised eye. "Didn't you hear me?" He yelled, "Get out! Go! Go home! Get out of here!"
Finding his voice, though it was raspy and shaking, Quatre asked him, "Why?"
"DAMN IT!" Bouken squeezed his eyes shut as a bullet planted itself in his leg. "Haven't you been listening to me! I love you, Goddamn it! GET OUT!"
But Quatre was unable to move. He remained next to Bouken as he continued to fire bullets at the sniper.
Bouken continued cursing nonstop, screaming at the gunman. Tears swept down his face, mingling with the blood. Finally, the shooting was silenced by a well-aimed shot by the sharpshooter. Bouken took in a sharp breath as a bullet set itself in his chest.
"Damn it.." He murmured. His eyes looked to Quatre, as though pleading him for help. "Get.get out.." He brought a bleeding hand to Quatre's cheek and touched it lightly with his fingers. "Hurry.. They'll send someone. for you.."
"Th-thank you." Quatre whispered in reply. His heart screamed. As much as he wanted to hate Bouken for what he had tried to do, he couldn't help but forgive him. He could feel his brother-in-law's anguish and saw a true love in his eyes. The lust had vanished entirely.
"Thank you." He repeated, and he held Bouken's hand for a few seconds before crawling out of the room, to avoid any other firing from the sniper.
"Good b-bye, Quatre," Bouken stuttered as the blond disappeared from his sight, "I'm sorry.. I'm sorry.. Good bye.." A final bullet silenced him.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The sniper had never been identified, though there had been a thorough investigation by the colony police and a large group of officers from Earth.
However, the officers did find the reason for everything that had happened. There was a story from years past that told them nearly everyone's alibi for all the events that had happened.
Five years prior to the events, Bouken had met Cindy and she had fallen in love with him while he thought he felt the same. However, when finally the time came for him to meet her family, he realized that his feelings had never belonged to her. He realized this after first laying eyes on Quatre.
Cindy noticed this soon after and left Bouken, borning a great hatred for him.
But Bouken didn't give up on his emotions for Quatre, though his connections to him were lost. The love-sick man began courting Quatre's other sister, Nitki in an attempt to get closer to the boy.
Nitki fell in love with him as well, because Bouken made sure of it. By morphing his personality to meet with all of her desires for a husband, he managed to gain her love. Soon after, they were engaged.
However, Mr. Winner noticed where Bouken's eyes were every time he came to visit the Winner household and told Nitki of it. Blind in her love, Nitki grew angry with her father and said she would marry Bouken anyway, which she did.
And so, Bouken was banned from ever seeing Quatre, though Quatre knew nothing of it.
Years later, Bouken lost control of his lust and began seeking Quatre out, but Cindy, who had never forgiven him, was one step ahead and attempted to destroy Quatre, telling herself that it was to avenge her father's death.
She had told her minions that they were attacking him as a random choice. Every one of them was a secretary at Winner Corporation and the majority of them had been told it was a secretaries union, tricked into the position. She had a high-ranked Oz agent to back her, she had said. Though her husband knew nothing of her intentions.
Thus, the events came to be.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Epilogue- Two Weeks Later
Quatre had remained silent through the funeral, refusing to say anything to even the other pilots. His eyes looked ahead but never seemed to see anything of what lied before him. Memories replayed themselves in his mind over and over again.
As soon as the service for Cindy was complete, Duo began attempts at cheering Quatre up, though he was finding it difficult to be funny with his arm in a cast. People kept asking him about it when they would usually be laughing.
"I should probably leave," Duo said with an acted sigh, "People are going to start thinking you're a delinquent. I mean, after what I said to that guy over there." He pointed to a random man.
"That's Cindy's husband." Quatre replied quietly.
Duo fell silent but then realized that he had at least gotten Quatre to talk, and continued. "Well, he took it pretty well, until he said something about calling the police. I'm not sure what he meant though.."
"Quatre," Trowa said, stopping his blond friend, "You aren't blaming yourself, are you?"
Moving his head from side to side Quatre turned to look his companion in the eye, "I'm fine. I just can't stop thinking about her.. When she died," He took a deep breath, "She wanted to kill me.. She looked so happy.."
"She was insane, Quatre," Trowa stated firmly, "It had nothing to do with you."
Quatre nodded and was silent for a moment. "I'm going to continue piloting," he said finally. He looked up at his friends, "People are always going to die. But I'd rather die fighting, like my father."
"Well, that's good," Duo said, with a slight grin, "After all, we wouldn't really let you quit anyway. Where else would we get a free maid? I'd better go over the breakfast plans for tomorrow. Let's see, first how about a nice Spanish omelet. You know, with the salsa? And then maybe some pancakes, drenched in homemade syrup. And then-" Continuing with his order, Duo went on ahead, speaking more to himself than anyone else.
Letting his eyes rest on Quatre's face for a few seconds, Wufei nodded. "It will be an honor to work with you again." He looked ahead at Duo. ".. He's going the wrong way.. Moron." Speeding to a sprint, he went to catch up with the braided boy.
Trowa gave Quatre a small smile and went to join Wufei, leaving his companion alone with Hiiro.
"I.. I know you don't want me to pilot,(1)" Quatre said quietly, "But.. This is my decision."
"I know." Hiiro replied, watching the three others hurry away, "Your family won't suffer any more losses, though. We'll always be here for you. We'll protect you." With a sigh, he looked to Quatre. "They're all headed north," he explained, "the car is to the east." With a displeased expression, he hurried to catch up with them.
A smile coming to his lips, Quatre watched his four best friends begin to argue. "Thank you," he said to them, though they couldn't hear them, "Thank you for everything." Watching them for a few minutes, he realized something. "They're..going west though.. Hiiro!" Running to reach them, Quatre left Cindy's corpse behind and the memories with it.
Eventually the war ended and the pilots were no longer needed. The people of Earth and the colonies knew them only as what they were and never learned more of their heroes, but five men always knew the truth. Five men who always needed the Gundam pilots for who they were. Because they could never live without each others friendship.
Owari
Chapter 15: Alone I Cannot Walk
Kattie
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing.
Warning!: Chapters contain extreme angst, violence, and thematic elements. Profanity goes beyond a minimum amount. Dark scenes of great depression that are not appropriate for children and extreme angst.
Note: Sorry for the wait. This is the final chapter. It was really hard ending a three-part series. Man, I'm going to start crying.
Dedication: To Emily, who always has to wait for me.
By the time Quatre regained his sense of the present, he was in a completely different place. The entire colony seemed to speed by him, from his position in the passenger's seat of some kind of vehicle. Block after block disappeared behind him, only to leave more ahead. The people on each street continued on with their lives, paying no attention to the second when they might look at the road and see Quatre's tear-stained face.
Bouken's eyes didn't stray from the road. He had no reason to watch Quatre, to make sure he wouldn't try to escape or attack him. Quatre's wrists were tied behind the lower part of his backrest, pinning him against the seat. It was an awkward position, and put a painful strain on Quatre's arms. When he shifted to see if he might free his hands, a pain seared down his back.
"Awake, love?" Bouken questioned, "We're almost there."
Quatre wanted to ask where they were going, but the gag in his mouth made it impossible. It would probably be too hard to think up the words anyway.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
When they finally reached their destination, Quatre was untied and Bouken carried him within his arms, into the building before them. Although Quatre was too dazed to fully comprehend the scene surrounding him, he was able to make out the sign along the buildings front.
"Winner Corporation".
Bouken leaned Quatre's head against his shoulder so it would appear as though Quatre was sick or hurt, and needed to be held in order to be transported. Quatre could smell his hair and it reeked of blood.
Carefully, Bouken proceeded to enter the building, clutching Quatre tighter as he did so. "Time to face her," he murmured to himself, "Shit."
His pace slowing significantly, Bouken continued to the front desk, his eyes fixed upon the young woman sitting there. Quatre could feel him begin to tremble slightly.
As they grew near, the woman looked up and Quatre recognized her as Cindy. If he'd had the strength to experience emotions, he would have been terrified. Despite his repulsion towards Bouken, he wouldn't leave his arms for all the world. Not in this position.
A grin came to her face as she recognized the two men. "Welcome to Winner Corporation," she said teasingly, "How may I help you?"
Bouken glared back at her. "You could step outside and get yourself run over."
At this, Cindy laughed, sweeping her hair from side to side as she did so. "Hostile as ever. Have you brought me a present?" She questioned, her gaze falling upon Quatre.
Pulling Quatre even closer to him, Bouken grunted a "no".
"Pity," Cindy replied, sitting far back in her chair, "I might've forgiven you."
His face contorting into a scowl, Bouken spoke to her again, "We need to come to an agreement. We can't both-"
"Yes we can," Cindy interrupted, "Perhaps we should go somewhere more private to talk this out."
Glancing around at the semi-crowded room, Bouken nodded. "I have over thirty men outside," he lied, "I wouldn't suggest trying anything."
With a slight grin, Cindy replied, "You're no fun." Before leading him to a nearby side room.
"Ms. Winner, I'm going to be perfectly honest with you," Bouken began as they situated themselves within the room. He had sat upon a couch that was perpendicular to a closed window and set Quatre down next to him, clutching his hand all the while, "You aren't a real threat to me anymore. Your men have been defeated. I just want you to leave us alone now. So, maybe we can come to an arrangement?"
Cindy nodded. "If you leave my brother here, I'll let you live."
Obviously growing agitated, Bouken took a deep breath. "You know I can't do that."
"Yes, you can," Cindy explained, standing, "It's really quite easy. All you have to do is leave." Her eyes fell upon his chest where a small, red beam had planted itself. "Do I make myself clear?"
Glancing toward the window, Bouken gave Cindy the most hateful look Quatre had ever seen. "You bitch."
A shrill noise sounded through the room as the glass of the window shattered and Bouken grasped his shoulder, his other hand remaining within Quatre's. Wincing from the pain, he turned to look at Quatre and then fixed his eyes upon Cindy again with a greater look of determination.
Cindy's grin seemed to cover her entire face, showing itself most clearly within her eyes. "Are you really going to make me kill you? It's so cruel."
"Y-you.. Will." Bouken tried to speak but he seemed to have trouble concentrating on the words.
"What will I do?" Cindy asked with a laugh, "Tell me before there isn't time to."
"You.. You'll die." Producing one of the guns he had commandeered from the pilots, he proceeded to fire one bullet off, which planted itself in her neck.
She died instantly, with a smile placed firmly on her blood-covered lips.
"Get down!" Bouken yelled, throwing himself and Quatre onto the ground.
A second shot from the unseen sniper zipped through the room. It hit the couch and sent some of its contents floating through the air.
Bouken responded by shooting two random shots from his gun in the direction of the gunman. "Damn damn damn." He repeated over and over, like a mantra.
Quatre's eyes remained on his sister's corpse, the picture engraving itself in his memory a thousand times fold. She continued to smile as every second passed, unable to discontinue the expression, even after death. Her eyes were wide-open and staring back at Quatre.
Bullets continued to ring, leaving the room and coming to it. Bouken continued dodging but had already obtained two more wounds, on his shoulder and arm. His face was drenched with sweat and he looked as though he would soon begin crying.
"Get out, Quatre." he said finally, letting two more bullets dance through the window. He looked over at Quatre and let a single tear escape from a bruised eye. "Didn't you hear me?" He yelled, "Get out! Go! Go home! Get out of here!"
Finding his voice, though it was raspy and shaking, Quatre asked him, "Why?"
"DAMN IT!" Bouken squeezed his eyes shut as a bullet planted itself in his leg. "Haven't you been listening to me! I love you, Goddamn it! GET OUT!"
But Quatre was unable to move. He remained next to Bouken as he continued to fire bullets at the sniper.
Bouken continued cursing nonstop, screaming at the gunman. Tears swept down his face, mingling with the blood. Finally, the shooting was silenced by a well-aimed shot by the sharpshooter. Bouken took in a sharp breath as a bullet set itself in his chest.
"Damn it.." He murmured. His eyes looked to Quatre, as though pleading him for help. "Get.get out.." He brought a bleeding hand to Quatre's cheek and touched it lightly with his fingers. "Hurry.. They'll send someone. for you.."
"Th-thank you." Quatre whispered in reply. His heart screamed. As much as he wanted to hate Bouken for what he had tried to do, he couldn't help but forgive him. He could feel his brother-in-law's anguish and saw a true love in his eyes. The lust had vanished entirely.
"Thank you." He repeated, and he held Bouken's hand for a few seconds before crawling out of the room, to avoid any other firing from the sniper.
"Good b-bye, Quatre," Bouken stuttered as the blond disappeared from his sight, "I'm sorry.. I'm sorry.. Good bye.." A final bullet silenced him.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The sniper had never been identified, though there had been a thorough investigation by the colony police and a large group of officers from Earth.
However, the officers did find the reason for everything that had happened. There was a story from years past that told them nearly everyone's alibi for all the events that had happened.
Five years prior to the events, Bouken had met Cindy and she had fallen in love with him while he thought he felt the same. However, when finally the time came for him to meet her family, he realized that his feelings had never belonged to her. He realized this after first laying eyes on Quatre.
Cindy noticed this soon after and left Bouken, borning a great hatred for him.
But Bouken didn't give up on his emotions for Quatre, though his connections to him were lost. The love-sick man began courting Quatre's other sister, Nitki in an attempt to get closer to the boy.
Nitki fell in love with him as well, because Bouken made sure of it. By morphing his personality to meet with all of her desires for a husband, he managed to gain her love. Soon after, they were engaged.
However, Mr. Winner noticed where Bouken's eyes were every time he came to visit the Winner household and told Nitki of it. Blind in her love, Nitki grew angry with her father and said she would marry Bouken anyway, which she did.
And so, Bouken was banned from ever seeing Quatre, though Quatre knew nothing of it.
Years later, Bouken lost control of his lust and began seeking Quatre out, but Cindy, who had never forgiven him, was one step ahead and attempted to destroy Quatre, telling herself that it was to avenge her father's death.
She had told her minions that they were attacking him as a random choice. Every one of them was a secretary at Winner Corporation and the majority of them had been told it was a secretaries union, tricked into the position. She had a high-ranked Oz agent to back her, she had said. Though her husband knew nothing of her intentions.
Thus, the events came to be.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Epilogue- Two Weeks Later
Quatre had remained silent through the funeral, refusing to say anything to even the other pilots. His eyes looked ahead but never seemed to see anything of what lied before him. Memories replayed themselves in his mind over and over again.
As soon as the service for Cindy was complete, Duo began attempts at cheering Quatre up, though he was finding it difficult to be funny with his arm in a cast. People kept asking him about it when they would usually be laughing.
"I should probably leave," Duo said with an acted sigh, "People are going to start thinking you're a delinquent. I mean, after what I said to that guy over there." He pointed to a random man.
"That's Cindy's husband." Quatre replied quietly.
Duo fell silent but then realized that he had at least gotten Quatre to talk, and continued. "Well, he took it pretty well, until he said something about calling the police. I'm not sure what he meant though.."
"Quatre," Trowa said, stopping his blond friend, "You aren't blaming yourself, are you?"
Moving his head from side to side Quatre turned to look his companion in the eye, "I'm fine. I just can't stop thinking about her.. When she died," He took a deep breath, "She wanted to kill me.. She looked so happy.."
"She was insane, Quatre," Trowa stated firmly, "It had nothing to do with you."
Quatre nodded and was silent for a moment. "I'm going to continue piloting," he said finally. He looked up at his friends, "People are always going to die. But I'd rather die fighting, like my father."
"Well, that's good," Duo said, with a slight grin, "After all, we wouldn't really let you quit anyway. Where else would we get a free maid? I'd better go over the breakfast plans for tomorrow. Let's see, first how about a nice Spanish omelet. You know, with the salsa? And then maybe some pancakes, drenched in homemade syrup. And then-" Continuing with his order, Duo went on ahead, speaking more to himself than anyone else.
Letting his eyes rest on Quatre's face for a few seconds, Wufei nodded. "It will be an honor to work with you again." He looked ahead at Duo. ".. He's going the wrong way.. Moron." Speeding to a sprint, he went to catch up with the braided boy.
Trowa gave Quatre a small smile and went to join Wufei, leaving his companion alone with Hiiro.
"I.. I know you don't want me to pilot,(1)" Quatre said quietly, "But.. This is my decision."
"I know." Hiiro replied, watching the three others hurry away, "Your family won't suffer any more losses, though. We'll always be here for you. We'll protect you." With a sigh, he looked to Quatre. "They're all headed north," he explained, "the car is to the east." With a displeased expression, he hurried to catch up with them.
A smile coming to his lips, Quatre watched his four best friends begin to argue. "Thank you," he said to them, though they couldn't hear them, "Thank you for everything." Watching them for a few minutes, he realized something. "They're..going west though.. Hiiro!" Running to reach them, Quatre left Cindy's corpse behind and the memories with it.
Eventually the war ended and the pilots were no longer needed. The people of Earth and the colonies knew them only as what they were and never learned more of their heroes, but five men always knew the truth. Five men who always needed the Gundam pilots for who they were. Because they could never live without each others friendship.
Owari