The Past Cure
Author's note: Well, I only got four reviews, but that is close enough. Thanks to all who reviewed. I really appreciate it; sometimes I just need the extra encouragement. Enjoy and please review.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing.
Part Four: Circus Disaster.
The wave of excited screams filled the giant tent, but nothing fazed the young man who stared forward with emotionless green eyes. "Are you all right, Trowa?" a tall slender girl asked as she put a comforting hand on the younger man's shoulder. Concern flashed in the girl's brilliant blue eyes when the boy continued to stare forward with no indication that he even knew she was there. "Oh, Trowa, why do you still have to suffer," the girl thought as the manager introduced her. Sighing in frustration, Catherine pulled away from Trowa as she made her entrance onto the stage.
Trowa watched her with little interest, normally he would study her every move like an overprotective father, but his mind just didn't want to concentrate on the present situation. He knew Catherine would perform with her normal grace, and it just didn't seem important at the moment. Normally Trowa could stare out at the performance, and watch the excited crowd with a feeling of belonging, but after today, he felt like he was supposed to be somewhere else, with somebody else. It was hard to explain, but ever since that girl appeared, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. He had felt those overwhelming chills wash over him the moment that girl's familiar blue eyes met his, but unlike the last time he had felt those same chills, this time he was left with an emptiness that really frightened him. It was almost like he had a hole in his chest, or his gut had melted into slush. A small growl of frustration escaped his lips, it only hurt worse the more he thought about that girl, and yet she wouldn't leave his mind. "And next I give you the amazing clown Trowa Barton!" the ringleader's booming voice yelled as Catherine raced past him out of breath.
"Good luck Trowa," Catherine said gasping as Trowa started to run toward the stage.
Adrenaline rushed through his veins, while Trowa pushed himself off of the ground, and started his elaborate introduction. His body sailed through the air in graceful flips, until he came to a sudden halt in the center of the ring. Freezing like a statue, Trowa waited patiently as the sound of grunting went on behind him. The sound of clanging metal could be heard as the lion's cage was rolled into the stage. Gasps of horror could be heard from the audience as they slowly realized what was going to happen. A half smile crept across Trowa's face, hidden from view from his half clown mask, when a small movement caught the young clowns attention. Still standing perfectly still, Trowa allowed his emerald green eyes to wander toward the new comer. "Oh no. Not her," Trowa gasped feeling the blood drain from his face. Those same blue eyes wandered around the tent before they feel on the single figure in the center of the ring. A cold wave washed over Trowa again, and he felt his hands wander up toward his head to grip his temples in a futile attempt to stop the pain.
"Look out!" Trowa heard the crowd scream as the lion was released from his cage, but all rational thought had escaped the pilot, and he began to curl up into a protective ball, totally oblivious to the monstrous beast that was racing toward him.
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Catherine knew something was wrong as soon as Trowa had broken his stance. Her gaze wandered around the tent, looking for the reason of her brother's distraction. "It's her," Catherine thought as realization stuck. "Don't release the lion!" Catherine yelled as the manager turned and gazed at her in shock. But it was too late, the lion was already racing out of its cage.
"Catherine?" the manager asked in shock as the young women raced toward him. "Catherine?" the man yelled again as he felt confusion and a little fear as the women's hand snatched the brown whip that hung off of his belt. Without an explanation or apology, Catherine turned away with whip in hand, and made a straight dash toward the ring.
Screams of horror filled the tent, but only a couple of people knew that what was going on was no act. Catherine raced toward the lion, cracking the whip, trying whatever she could to get the beasts attention away from Trowa; while Midii raced down the stands, desperately trying to get to Trowa. But both of their efforts where in vain, and they watched horrified as the beasts fangs dug into the boys shoulder.
Shaking Trowa like a rag doll, the lion swung the clown's body through the air, before the animal released its grip, and Trowa went flying through the air. Trowa's body rolled on the ground, before he stopped, and laid still. Panic filled the tent. It was obvious to everyone that what was happening was no act, and they were beginning to scream in panic; which only increased the confusion. The lion roared a mighty roar, before it took off after the still form of it's pray.
"Trowa!" Catherine yelled, her heart beating painfully against her chest, and her eyes filling with tears. There was no way she could catch up with the lion now, and all she could do was prepare herself for the event that would end her brother's life. Tears made their way down her cheeks, and Catherine's breathing became quick and shallow. "Trowa no!" Catherine yelled, her eyes closing in denial, and then she heard a determined yell. Opening her eyes, Catherine watched amazed as Midii's slender form rammed into the side of the lion, knocking the almost unstoppable beast from its current path. Relief flooded over Catherine as the lion lost interest on her brother, and the animal slowly turned around to face the stunned girl who had been pushed back from the impact. Without thinking, Catherine forced herself between Midii and the enraged animal. The whip made a painful cracking sound, but the animal didn't shy away from it. The creature's eyes watched Catherine carefully, before it flexed its muscles, and leaped toward the two girls. Catherine screamed in horror as the beast came towards her, and then she felt as strong arms wrapped around her waste, lifting her into the air, and out of the immediate danger.
The manager watched relieved as three figures rolled on the ground, before he brought his attention to the crises. He had to capture the beast, but there was no way of doing it without killing the animal. "We need to get it away from the audience," the manager yelled as several of the circus hands circled the animal.
"Stop!" Trowa demanded pulling himself off of the ground, and turning to face the animal. "I can tame him," Trowa yelled as his eyes met those of the great beast.
Catherine and Midii watched, holding their breaths as the animal stopped its attack, and stared toward Trowa. It felt like an eternity before the lion gave a soft growl, and made its way towards Trowa's outstretched hand. Letting out their relieved breaths, Catherine and Midii watched as Trowa softly stoked the animal's head. The once ferocious beast purred softly to Trowa's touch, until it was carefully captured and returned to its cage. "Are you all right?" the manager demanded making his way toward the three teenagers. But no one noticed him as Trowa collapsed onto one knee. "Call and ambulance!" the manager demanded before he turned to look back at Catherine. "Help is on the way," the manager said trying to comfort the young women before he turned and tried to restore order with the frightened crowd.
"Hold on Trowa," Catherine begged as she carefully lowered Trowa to a laying position, resting the boy's head on her lap.
"We need to stop the bleeding," Midii mumbled shaking her head, as she leaned over Trowa and applied pressure to the wound. Midii felt tears well up as she studied the injury. She could easily see the torn muscles, and the severed veins and arteries which were gushing out blood. "Hold on Nanashi, please hold on," Midii begged leaning over him more as she tried to rub her tears away with her sleeve.
Trowa felt Midii's hands pressing down on the wound, but he couldn't feel the pain. "Not a good sign," Trowa thought knowing that his body was beginning to go into shock.
"Please hold on Nanashi," he heard the girl say again as she leaned over him a little more. And that was when he noticed the small glint of gold around the girl's neck. Reaching up with his uninjured arm, Trowa gave the chain a gentle tug. A small cross swung across his face, causing another wave of coldness to wash over him. Closing his eyes for a second, Trowa pushed away the pain, and opened his eyes again to study the cross. Near the bottom of the chain there was scorch marks and then a jagged cut where the cross looked like it had been shot. Memories flooded Trowa as he remembered starring at a ten year old girl who was gazing around the battle field with a guilty look on her face. Trowa closed his eyes again while he allowed the memory to envelope him, filling the void with names and events that were once lost to him. When he opened his eyes, he found himself looking into the concerned blue eyes of the girl who had once betrayed him, and who had also loved him like no one had ever done before.
"We were one, you and I," the girl said trying to hold back her tears. "You told me that years ago, but you were wrong. You had nothing, while I had everything to lose," Midii whispered turning away when she felt her tears pour out of her eyes.
"You are wrong," Trowa's weak voice croaked as Midii turned to look at him, a questioning look shinning through her anguish.
"No Nanashi, you had no regrets, no obligation, and no fear. There was nothing you had to worry about losing. You were free," Midii said between choked sobs.
Trowa stared up at her with glazed green eyes, before he reached his uninjured hand up to wipe away the girl's tears. "You are wrong, I lost something too, I lost you," Trowa mumbled as he blacked out.
TBC.
Author's note: Well, how was that? I hope you enjoyed this chapter, it is one of my favorite scenes of this story. And here is the deal. If I get twenty reviews I will update immediately; if I get ten, I will work on this fic before my other stories; if I get five, I will update as soon as I update one of my other stories; and if I get none, I will update whenever I feel like it. It is completely up to you, and all you have to do is review, so if you want me to post the next chapter, take a second and review, and I will do the best I can to get the next part up ASAP.
To all my reviewers, thanks a lot I really appreciate it.
To A major G.W. fan- I'm so glad you enjoy my story, and congratulations on being my first reviewer. Thank you so much.
To cmquietone- I'm so sorry to hear you hate Midii, but I'm glad you like my story. Thanks for reviewing.
To Meagan- Thanks for reviewing, I'm going to miss you while your gone. I'm glad you liked this story, I know you hate anime, so it means a lot when you say you like this story. Yes, the flashback is one of my favorite scenes, even though it was missing from the original outline. I hope to hear from you soon, and thanks again.
To Tina- Yes, I'm afraid that Trowa is the one infected, but that does not mean he will die. I think I'll leave it up to the reviewers. If enough people ask me to save his life, I might just do it. So *hint* continue reviewing if you want to save Trowa's life.
To aznqurl- Well, I updated, and I hope this is good enough for you. What did you think? I'd love to hear any suggestions, and thanks for reviewing.
To T.L.- I will finish this story, I promise, and I am so glad you like this story. Thanks for you review.
To Midii Une- Well, I'm a little shocked to get a review from you, I didn't think my story was good enough, not when compared to you stories anyways. I totally agree, Midii is an awesome character, but Trowa is my favorite. I'm glad you liked my story, and feel free to point out any mistakes I made, I try to catch them, but some still sneak by. Thank you so much for your review, and you are right, you are the fifth reviewer, so this chapter is out today because of you.
Thanks again to all who reviewed.
FireBird9900