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~ Gundam Shakespearian Style ~
"Theatrical Class"
By: Anime Redneck
2-12-03

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Disclaimer: For this chaper, we know I don't own the guys. Do own Sean, Shawn and the plot though! ^__^ Don't own the song "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" by The Rightous Brothers.

"~Song Lyrics~"
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~oOo@oOo@oOo~
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"Come on! Come on!" Slow pokes! Duo mentally chuckled watching as Wufei tried pushing Heero a little faster in light of stopping his endless chattering. Heero for his part was looking like his feathers were ruffled a bit and amused on the other. Duo for his part was enjoying it. Though he himself was a little confused at why the Japanese boy was putting up with it all. By now he'd usually have his gun out threatening them all.

Maybe that computer codin' fun in first loosened him up? The American wondered while waiting at his favorite Sakura tree. As they neared he gave a mighty leap catching the first low branch and pulling him self up into the cotton candy colored haven.

The others blinked.

"Come on up guys! Lovely view and shade!"

On the ground, two shrugged jumping as he had, to the first branch before swinging up into the others. Poor Quatre being the smallest of them had to have the European teen help him into it, blushing near apple red. Eventually all five pilots were in the tree relaxing.

It was nice, for once in a long while, whither they be at school or working with the Preventers, to have a calm quiet moment to their selves. Best of all... Relena was nowhere to be seen! It was a mystery and probably always would be they realized, how the Sanq Princess could find them wherever they went. It was beyond annoying, nearly having them all pulling hair over it during the wars. But now, when peace reigned and people were free of fear... Now when they weren't needed but for scarce Preventer missions... why in this time... did the Sanq Princess feel the need to still stalk them?!

Oh yeah, it was all of them all right. Chestnut braid swung back and forth shinning with golden-red hues as it caught the suns light while it's owner thought on. Duo had decided she wasn't just stalking the unreachable Perfect Soldier anymore... it had become clear to him it was a mass stalking now.

I mean think about it! Mentally he threw a hand up in frustration while watching his best friends relax under the warming rays. Sure, she followed Heero all over the place like a lost puppy. Yup, no doubt about it. But THEN! When he was with us, all of us, she still followed him, and started watchin' us too! So it's mass stalking... she's watching us all, it's unnerving the hell out of me and the others... he looked around once more, eyes lingering on one dark form longer then the other three. Well they look like it don't bother them none, but I know better! HA! Try hiding something from Shinigami! Sorry, don't think so!

No, the others had been just as fidgety with the pink loving princess running around as he was. Trowa kept close watch on his blonde love interest. And for good reason, his mind quipped smirking; Relena has a thing for singling him out and talking forever...trying to milk information out of him. Saddest little... The American chuckled. Who would've thought that the dirty blonde pacifist-loving girl could pull off a deviling attitude? Not him, that's for sure. She played up the 'I'm innocent and don't know anything' routine too well sometimes.

The Chinese and Japanese of their small group always kept their eyes open for her trademark-mating screech of Heero's name and tastelessly chosen clothing colors. It seemed to the Deathscythe Hell Jr's pilot* that the only time they're eyes stilled darting around rooms, was when they were safely in an enclosed space without unseen entrances or in their dorm rooms, safe and alone. Other times it was when they hung out alone. But... that was life for them...

And now with ten minutes to go before they had to be at their next class Duo decided it time to get a move on. It was three buildings down and one over from their current position. Defiantly time to get moving; he didn't want to rush. So tapping each of his comrades from their thoughts, he grabbed onto the next limb down swinging to the ground without so much as a grunt catching his books when they were thrown to him.

As the others met him on the ground they walked back through the hallways stashing their belongings and headed to the next class. They had no clue was it was supposed to be yet. Their schedules didn't specify anything except that it was held in the academy's auditorium. Curious and a little apprehensive about what this class was, the five males entered slowly into the darker then night room; their only source of lighting being the light filtering through the now open door.

"Why the hells it so dark in here?"

Shrugging, though no one could really see the motion Wufei pointed forward, "Who knows Maxwell... lets just find some seats and wait to see." He'd been feeling along the walls but was unable to find a light switch in which to give them sight.

"Yeah, yeah... sure Wu-man..." wasn't anything else they could do short of walking out of the room anyways, so might as well wait and see what's up. "Come on guys! Front row seating!" Chuckling Duo reached a hand out grabbing someone else's as the door closed shutting out their only light, "Alright, hold hands! We don't want to get lost now!"

"Duo!" Quatre giggled shaking his head as his right hand found one lean fingered palm and his other took a strong grip on the other, "This is childish..."

"We know... but you can't deny him..." someone sighed in mock annoyance. Truth be told that person honestly couldn't deny the former Shinigami anything, even if he tried to. There was just something about that boy - no, young man - that warranted his attention, his patience and his all. Whither it was his smiles, those shinning violet-blues or his karmic personality... he just drew people towards him like a moth to a flame. He had to mentally snort at that description of the braided boy though, fumbling around a rowed chair, it seemed that he was not the only one affected this way. Smirking he followed the others blindly into seating themselves and untimely waiting for... something to happen.

Turned out their wait wasn't that long after the other students started filing into the massive sized room. Nothing at CSA was done small. As others took their seats, complaining as they had about the lighting and what class this was, they waited. Then, as it seemed they were ready as a mass to stand and leave... an overhead spotlight clicked on shinning at center stage.

Three of the five young men seated together started to get a sinking feeling in their stomachs. This couldn't possibly be...

A voice, as warm and sweet like a summers afternoon wind filtered into the shadowed space, "Once upon a time..."

You had to be kidding! Who would start class like that unless...

"There was a room full of unknowing students... for whom the life of them held no knowing of what they were getting into when they decided to take a mysterious class to fill their schedules." Someone started to move on the hardwood stage, they couldn't be seen, but was determined female from the voice, "For them this choice would be their undoing as the teacher for said course stepped into the room and started to chain them to the very chairs they sat. Now this wasn't a normal class at all!" her voice rose to shocked worry, "No sir're, not a regular class by for... For you see my children..." slowly the figure neared the rosy colored spotlight, her strides long and sure, yet moved like water in a stream, "The children that sat in an overbearing darker then night room... had undoubtedly signed they're lives away to the..." pausing dramatically, "Theatrical Arts department!"

Groans issued from nearly everyone in the audience as many slumped in their chairs cursing their luck. Three of those many unlucky students paled a few shades. This was *not* something they wanted to be a part of... And the other two... were grinning ear to ear.

Wonderful... Hades had come back to make sure they're schooling year hell once more. Bad enough they had Relena here with them. Now, they had to be in the performing arts class as well!

"Ah hey now! That's not very fair you didn't even give me a chance you welcome you or anything!" Reluctantly eyes rose to the figure now fully standing in the fading rose to white light. It was indeed a girl, young woman standing at 5'6", long thigh length golden blonde hair hung down her back in wavy ripples, some pulled back in a brightly shimmering orange bow. She had eyes of a summer's sky twinkling in merriment at the new years bringing. Her clothes were simple, nothing like the other teachers in the building. She wore a plain faded blue vest with baby pink see through butterfly sleeves with black knee length shorts and sneakers.

All in all the people that had suckered themselves into this course, thought she looked like a cool laid back kind of teacher; that this class would be a breeze to get through.

Sadly, they didn't know how right, yet how wrong they all were.

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~ * @ * ~
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Two and a half hours later (seemingly an eternity to now seven people) the bells shrill voice rung around the massive country campus evoking cries of joy from all the students 'locked' into CSA's auditorium. Two sets of double doors were forcibly thrown open with seven people in the lead making way towards the other side to catch a breather and in the rush, loosing the seventh person of their small group.

"Gods, did we loose her? I think we lost her!"

The happy voice caused the redhead of them all to chuckle, "Aye laddie, ah beh thinkin' she was swarmed 'n with 'em all back there" he pointed over his shoulder, "Thou ah've gotta say, m'not that sorra ta beh seein' 'er off!"

Stopping in his walk, getting slapped by his braid Duo laughed at his friend, "Sean, welcome to the pack man!" Violet eyes twinkled, "Told ya she's a nutcase but ya didn't believe me man! I told ya!" sending a wink and brief message to his Chinese friend besides him Duo ran off to catch a table for them all.

Sean nodded, "Aye, that 'e did. 'E told meh, but ah con'na 'elp it..." tipping his head to the side in thought he eyed the others, "Yeh know... bein' nice ta tha lasses n' all..." shurg, "Oh well... na meh problem now!"

"True. Lets go get our food fast before Duo decides to abandon the table for his own stomach!" Quatre's words struck them moving and soon all were lost in the mist of student body flooding the café for wondrous food.

"Hey guys!" waving as his friends approached watching as Sean held a seemingly two-sided conversation with Wufei, the American smiled at them. He told Fei they'd get along! Sean was a kicker to be around and his accent! Woo was that ever an accent! Sometimes he caught himself actually stopping in his chatter to rethink what his blazing green-eyed friend had said, accent so thick he didn't catch it the first time. Now, it almost seemed like he was always a part of their small group. Even disliked Relena's acting around them!!

He laughed standing to retrieve his own food. That sure was a surprise! With Sean's high morals and honor for being polite almost like that of the Dragon's; he was sure it'd take more then one class period for the boy to dislike Relena in some fashion. Shock still was getting scheduled a class with him. He didn't even know it! Wasn't until the teach (Minako, his brain reminded him) had let them have free roam of the area to meet the other 'prisoners' for the year.

Needless to say, Duo made way into the quickest line grinning, there were a lot of people there he liked! They were all friendly and open, some had a few sticks up their asses about the class but him Q and Sean were going to make the best of it! Tro-man, Heero and Fei were lookin' kinda pale there, he reflected back on their looks. Then shrugged as he loaded down his tray. They'd be fine once they got into it more... or so he could only hope. The three weren't very sociable to those outside the five, so how were they going to be in a theatrical class?

"Duo!" Quatre's voice made him turn to look, seeing the small blondes hand waving him over. Good thing to, everyone in the school seemed to love the cafés food! Ahhh great school! He chuckled sitting down. Though as massive as the school was, the large cafeteria eating area given, there was a smaller version (seemingly) of the café they had eaten and spent the other night at miles down the road. It was grand! While only open during schooling hours, the food was sensuous to the taste buds.

"Hey what's kickin'?"

Sean smiled at his eccentric friend. Always so open 'n cheerful, he thought observing Duo tease his friends. 'E's gonna 'ave quite the crowd followin' 'im around this year 'gain!

The Irish descended boy met the bouncing American last year while both attended the welcoming ceremony. He had managed to miss meeting his four friends the year before on a slight happening that a mission had come up and they were needed away. So while the happy boy was left alone, Sean had taken it to his being protector and friend of him. That proved to be for not few weeks later when Duo had a particularly bad feeling about something he wouldn't talk about until the day Sean had walked into his dorm to find the milky skinned boy on the floor... crying of all things.

He'd later found out that his mood the past week had been from not hearing of his friends status and mission updates. It had been a deal of theirs that, should they ever become split up on missions, they would regularly send encoded messages of some sort to let the others know they were fine. A security risk? Yes, to an extent. But with the codes they had managed to work out (one that had no ties to regularly used military known ones) had been proved useful time in again.

After soothing his friend over Deathscythe Hell Jr's pilot revealed a scant detail-missing version of their pasts, enough to let the Irish lad know what they were, had been and now were trying to do. They had been Gundam pilots, used as war tools to see both Space and Earth through the bloody reign... Now that the war was over nearly two years standing, all the guys had been in works with the Preventers in keeping that peace. Quatre and Trowa were part-time workers while the other half was spent managing WEI.

Heero, Wufei and Duo, couldn't find anything else that called their soul in doing. War or the likes of it seemed to be the only life they had even known. Whatever had happened for the three of them before they were turned soldiers was now either ill-suited to them, had never been there or grimmer of the three, was gone and beyond any reach. Nowadays, they spent their time helping others to preserve peace with all they were.

Sean O'Malley had that day found more respect in one person then he had all the people he knew in his twenty summers. Duo and his friends were one of the main causes that the Eve Wars had come to an end. He was grateful to them all. They had unknowingly saved members of his family by ending the war when they had; most of his family had been enlisted.

But he knew not to blow things out of proportion. While they were the main cause the wars had ended, the peoples rise to fight for them selves was the other factor. Without the peoples will to fight, no one could hope to have peace.

Respect and a friendship worthy of his calling 'a Godsend' were two wonderful things he gained that year and couldn't wait 'til this year to meet up with is hyper active American again, and hopefully, meet his other friends. Friends he could now, this second day of the new year, call his own. He smiled contentedly at the people surrounding him.

"Sean?"

"Yo Fiery!" Duo grinned winking, "What's gotcha mind captured bud?"

Chuckling at the nickname he shook his redhead, "Nuttin' Duo, just wonderin' past roads laddie..." suddenly his smile turned into a mischievous smirk to rival the American's own, "Nothin' as bad as yer mind likes ta thin' up now!"

The others laughed smirking or smiling their own. This was true, very true.

"Hey! Hey!" Duo protested smiling waving his arms around, effectively throwing some food in one direction, forgetting one hand still held his fork, "If ya wanted to go there all ya had to do was t-mmphms!" turning slightly, violet eyes glared at twinkling space. Eyes so dark they neared black, the rooms lighting being caught in the gaze made them shimmer and shine... all in all, Duo wasn't really protesting the view nor the smooth golden hand covering his mouth. Quirking his lips a little more under the hand his mind thinking up a few things he could do with it place there... but, he knew better then that... still, it was tempting...

"Lets not Maxwell... If he truly wanted to 'go there' as you say, then all O'Malley would have to do is but ask one of us, we could efficiently debrief him on your minds current state."

If Hades nephew didn't know any better, he'd think the Chinese gave him a little wink while drawing his hand back... slower then normal before returning to eating his meal. Shaking his head-smiling Duo wasn't too sure about that one. He had an over active mind anyways, was probably just playing ticks on him... yup that had to be it...

The lunch hour had flown by in no time at all without interruption from one certainly sandy blonde headed girl. It almost worried the boys that she hadn't tried making an appearance yet. Then again... it was shocking enough that she had escaped the business teachers wrath about that computer CPU 'blowing up' on her. They scantly wondered what had been dealt as punishment for her... or was she just to replace the computer? Gods above knew she had the money for it!

But as time came, time also went and the six happily chatting (or listening in some cases) young men had to split ways for their next class, each promising to met at the others dorm room for some form of entertainment after doing their work.

It'd be interesting to see what those diverse minds could think up. Even more so to see if minds so different, personalities so contrasting, could mix well enough to settle on one thing to do as a group.

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~ * @ * ~
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Bouncy, bouncy, bouncy!

One lone boy skipped down the corridor of the boy's west dorm heading for his room, two others following him shaking their heads. He didn't mind them though he was ready for some action! It was only the second day of school, his sophomore year at CSA was turning out to be great. But! He couldn't jinx it quite just yet. It wasn't even the full week yet! But it was goin' great! He had good classes, one that he was bored off his as in, but hey! You couldn't have every class be kick ass!

Laughing the teen made quick work of unlocking the room's door and skipping in not bothering to wait for his friends. While they were taking they're sweet precious time, he on the other hand needed a shower before the others came over.

Back down the hall two boys exchanged humored worried glances with one another. Midnight clashing with Stormy seas; silent questions of worry and wonder passing through those two gazes more then their mouths could voice.

Humor? Yes it was funny. You couldn't help but feel the tiniest of tickles at the back of your throat or mind at the younger ones antics. Worry? Oh definitely! Being around the overly hyper active teen for near five years now you couldn't not worry about him when he started bouncing like a little bunny all over the place.

Usually, to the logical persons mind, that would alert you that the boy had too much sugar that day, or just an over abundance of energy to wear off.

But my dear friends... One that has lived with a child (for physically that's what they were all still considered) like this for the expanded amount of time, one has had the appropriate means of studying his behavior and habit. And while yes, this bouncing asserted to a persons thought of having too much sugar... this was not totally true.

This particular bounce in the braided ones step spoke of a wee sugar over dose and a wanting for something exciting to happen tonight. Most likely it was going to be something that he himself initiated and the others around him were going to be pulled into it whether they wanted or not.

Basically... what this all boiled down to was Complete, and Total Chaos.

But think *fun* people! This is one Duo "Shinigami" Maxwell! the "Fun Guy" of the group. Your down, he'll lift you up. Your sad, your ass surely won't stay that way if he has anything to do with it!

So yes, while there was certainly need to be humored about the situation they were currently going to find them selves in no matter what happened... There was also a strong need for worry 'cause one never knew what to expect when the Braided Menace was in this particular sort of mood.

With those thoughts comically running through the boy's heads of what might and may happen tonight. The darker skinned of the two reached out a hand, making show of dramatically bowing to the other unruly haired youth while opening the door, still bowed with one hand on the door holding it open, the other hand swept across his chest in show of 'please enter'.

Twinkling seas watched the other, lips curling into a slow smirk. Silently they gave wonder to what the braided member of their small group would think of this display of hidden antics. Shaking his head, lips curling a little more the dark haired boy gave a quiet "Arigatou" and small bow before entering their dorm room, with the other following with an equally soft "Do itshimashite" while turning towards his own room to get ready for when the others arrived.

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~ * @ * ~
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It was sometime later in the afternoon before a rapping on the solid redwood stained door brought the other three's attention to the fact that the other boys, have now arrived and it was time to get to business. Though two of the occupants knew that the final one would much rather "plan some crime!" instead of doing school work first. They weren't about to let the braided teen plan their evening out without their say on the matter let alone going out with him still having work to do! 'Cause Helios knew the braided boy wasn't going to do his work when they got *back* from enjoying his "planned crime."

"We're here!" a cheery voice sung through the door.

Duo grinned jumping from his crossed legged spot on the floor and zipping for the door, "Comin' Qat!" Sooner they were done the sooner they could get the hell out of the stuffy dorm room! Had to be more in this place to do then stay at the school and schoolwork. Sure! There's the Café down the road, but there's gotta be something else! This towns too damned big *not* to have something else to do 'round here!

Stopping his rambling thoughts throwing the door open his grin turned smile at the three boys before him. "Come on in guys!" not waiting for them to walk forward he pressed through and started pushing them into the nicely sized room ignoring their protests, "Come on! Come on! Move already!" Sighing the American shook his lovely chestnut covered head, "Geez! Y'all move as slow as a herd of cows!"

"MOOO... MOOOOO!"

Blue and blonde snickered moving further into the room taking a seat on the couch, watching as his braided friend placed slim smooth hands on his hips, mock glaring at the redhead with raised brow.

"Sure Sean, we all know you've got an excuse. Now would ya mind movin' that wise ass of yours outta my doorway?"

"'Wise ass'?" Blazing green eyes twinkled merrily, "Ah've got a 'wise ass' and no one a'told meh!? Man, ye know how much tha thin' coulda 'elped meh in school if 'e'd only spoke up!?" His shoulders shook, head lowered as he finally moved away from the American's door into the living room and sat on the floor next to a stack of books, Duo's he guessed.

"Well Fiery ol' pal..." Duo commented waving his hand out, the other closing the door as he started back over. "I'm sure that if ya just spoke up yourself and asked 'im for help he'd of been more then happy to help ya!" Winking he sauntered up before plopping in place nudging his friend, "But then again... you not askin' just proves how much work we've gotta do on ya!"

"Are yeh sayin' I'm not smart Mr. Maxwell?" Sean rose a brow questioningly.

"Ah well now, see, your smart enough to figure that out arin't ya?"

The others stationed around the room simply took mild pleasure in watching the playful bantering go back and forth. Quietly they were all grateful the boys were sitting next to one another so they didn't have to snap heads back and forth between them as if watching a ping-pong match.

Sniffling indigently raising his head slightly looking away from the grinning Preventer Sean commented, "Well, tha may be laddy... bu' at least ah've a smart ass compared to the pillow cushion yeh beh carrin' 'round with yeh!"

And that, was all it took for two boys to fall to pieces laughing, a third gawking at the Irish lad, and last three wearing fairly wide smirks across their tanned lips. Yes, they were a strange group but that incongruity is what made them the best of friends.

Snickers quietly leaving a lithe body Heero tried keeping it down as not to be noticed. Getting a arched black brow from his Chinese friend he knew that task failed, at least where he was concerned since the other was sitting next to him, but the other four didn't need to know about his slight humor... yet, so he tried harder to impede his shoulders from shaking.

Once orders were obeyed Heero picked up one particular book opening then snapping it closed loud enough to grab everyone's attention. "Alright class. We need to get work done so we can proceed to figure out what tonight's plans are. Agreed?"

As if he needed to ask that. Mentally rolling his eyes Heero threw a glance to his seat partner. Dancing doe eyes looked back at him.

On that note, Duo cheered energetically, "PAAARRRRRTTAA!!!" having the sudden urge to jump up and do a little jig that him and Sean would do on football nights the team won. "Hey!" turning quickly to his friend, books forgotten, "Sean! You remember better then me! Is there a club around here? I know ya know man! I remember going to one but I don't know-"

"Duo... work first."

"But Sean we'v-"

"Work."

"But-"

"YES DUO! Now work!" grumbling but grinning Duo bid as everyone asked of him. No, they didn't have to say anything. They were throwing small glares at the boy. And so for the next near two hours the young men worked in companionable silence, each helping the other where it was needed; though truth be told they could do the work on their own without help... But even silence can creep into the strongest of men's skin to unnerve.

Hurrying to write the rest of his answers down before the others Duo swiftly (while somehow managing to keep it neat) rattled the last one down snapping the book closed, "Done!" After loudly letting everyone know his position on this 'school junk' he proceeded to shove everything into his bag and bounced up to his knees, "Okies now! Sean, club!"

"Café."

"Club!"

"Café."

"Hn."

"Damn you're a conservationist, y'know that Heero?" said boy calmly quirked a brow making a shooting motion with his fingers towards the braided youth. "Eh heh... right, get the message... So!" turning attention off of him (though it truly would never be) onto the Irish, "Sean! Club man! I know you know where it's at!"

"Why can we go to the café again Duo?" Sighing fondly Quatre blinked aqua-blue eyes, "They've got the wondrous drinks!"

"Qat... no."

"Hyper... Sugar... Duo?" Trowa hoped that helped the blonde boy in answering why 'no' was a good answer. "Air born objects... table dances... excreta...?"

"Oh." Good point, Quatre nodded, couldn't have a hyper Duo on their hands... they'd never be awake enough after wards to keep sane in class... Hmm... "Club?"

Duo heard the magic words, "Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' 'bout!"

"Hn."

"Yeah up yours too Hee-chan!" Opps... mentally smacking his forehead at the name slipping out again Duo eyed the other warily. He didn't *seem* upset... though that didn't say anything... and he wasn't flipping him off yet... so maybe... He'd let it slid? Well hell! Shaking his head still eyeing the other (whose attention was now on Wufei and the subject of Café's vs. Club) Duo grinned. He'd said it out once before, got a flipped off finger from it, so guess it didn't really matter now. Couldn't do anything worse for it. 'Sides, he had a name for everyone so whose to say if *that* one held anything special to it or not?

Then again... he paused wondering... Who's to say that any of the names held anything special or not?

Feeling somewhat better about his slip of tongue, the American bounded up immediately kicking his book bag towards his bedroom's door. "Alrighty, look! Since the plan on clubbin' ain't goin' through, lets just go back to Shawn's!" he chuckled at the looks he got for that comment. Might've only been there once since the new school year started, but him and Sean've been skipping to Shawn's for a year now. Where else did they hang out last year? "Sound cool to y'all?"

"Hn."

"Sure!"

"Lets go!"

"......"

"Ah beh thinkin', that's a ship mates Aye ay captain!' sora answer laddie." Smirking Sean followed the others in stuffing his bag of books and scooting them to one side as they all stood in the tan rugged teal-green colored room and headed for the door and down to Shawn's café on the corner.

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~ * @ * ~
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"Shawn!! Yo Shawny boy! What's kickin'!!" a rich tenor broke the music filled atmosphere of Shawn O'Connor's café 'Clover's Rose' as six slender bodies walked through his jingling door drawing the brownish-red headed mans attention from cleaning glasses. Smiling fondly the giant of 6'4" shook his head at the mass of chestnut locks and swinging pendulum like braid as his American and Irish lad skipped through the door, four others following closely behind, smirks turning their mouths when the braided boy nearly tripped on an invisible carpet burp.

"Duo lad, Sean!" waving them over while placing the last glass away Shawn grinned, "I see yeh still got that air of clumsiness around ye."

"Ha Ha" pouting as he sauntered up to the bar plopping in a seat Duo grinned right back at him, the others sitting to either side, "Well maybe I do, and maybe I don't, but I see your still flippin' glasses." Grin transformed to smirk, "What'sa matter? Burgers Haven wouldn't let ya work the grill?" All right, so he knew that wasn't the best comeback to use. But what else was he supposed to say? The guy worked in a bar and he hadn't had the best of company to get his creative comeback juices flowing.

If Shawn was anyone else, he'd be puttering at the intended barb at his skills as cook and his talent. But being as he had a year to gain this ones humored jests and thrusts, the Irish man simply widened his smile-smirk a bit more.

"Aye lad." Brownish-red head bobbed, "They told meh ah had too much skill and needed to beh doin' sumthin' else. So... here ah am! Bu' I do believe they told meh, if'n I found someone else, they'd keep the spot open. So now" bringing his one hand up to rub at his chin Shawn leaned in closer to the American, "Ah told 'em ah'd send ye over just as soon as ye came back for a beatin'." A point to his credit went for keeping a straight face through that bit. "They beh waitin' for ye Goober."

The name use had the fair skinned boy blinking, "Goober!?" That name he'd picked up last year was still going to be used on him now!? Pish... fine then, not a problem. Shooting a mock glare Sean for his drawn out "Ohhhh" echoing at his side trying to rail them both on. He never stopped getting a kick from his and Shawn's bouts.

"I see how it's going to be Rusty, but I'll have to turn them down. 'Cause see my talents would be wasted there too! I'd much rather stay here and play bartenders runnin' pup instead of flippin' burgers. I'd much rather play where I could flip people off instead."

Emerald eyes flickered, "Duo, you flipping people off wouldn't help Shawn out." Though he'd like to see the young American get away with it. Chances were, anyone he happened to flip off and not be fast enough to cover the act would think he was playing with them. As far as Trowa could tell, Duo and Sean had been coming to this establishment all their freshman year at the academe. They've had a chance to meet, help and become friends with the owner. He could see now, why they got along so well with the older man. He looked a 'fun, lovable' sort of person. Slowly his mouth quirked a bit in the corners, with him being Irish there was no doubts in the European's mind that he had a thing for jokes as well as Duo did.

Perfect match. Throw Sean in there, and you'd have major trouble one day. Thankfully. Him and the others only had to put up with the duo for few hours a day.

"Flip 'em off as much as ye like laddy, bu' donna let me hear ye complain' when one of 'em takes bag across yer head yonder" Shawn waved at the thick mass and braid pointedly, "Ah'm not gonna help ye outta it this time!" Eyes twinkling the Irish leaned over ruffling Duo's bangs and smiled to the rest, "So are ye gonna beh a rock and rude, or ye gonna introduce me to tha guests?"

Sean chuckled at the two bantering males. It'd been too long between seeing Duo and Shawn go at it again. They'd have to make sure to visit the café more often. Coming out of his swarming thoughts Sean caught the tail end of a pointed look and raised brow from his elder and blushed realizing his question (vaguely caught) was meant for either him or the American.

"Ah now... this here's Heero Yuy" he pointed to the chiseled faced and muscled bodied Japanese boy who gave a curt nod. "Beside 'im is Chang Wufei, they're both Goober's roommates" explained Sean point to the dark tanned doe eyed Chinese on Duo's left.

"And he's Trowa Barton!" Duo took over the intros pointing to the tallest of their group, "With Quatre Winner comin' in last place!" chuckling as he winked to the other as they all nodded to the bartender. "This here's Rusty, other wise known as Shawn O'Connor! The owner of this here fine café!"

A chorus of 'pleased to meet you' and quiet 'hello's' were offered to the rusty colored man. Returning the greetings Shawn took down orders for drinks and pointed them to a back booth that would give them some privacy and a good view. Minutes later after sitting one of the waiters brought the drinks and left them be.

An hour or so of Duo and Sean's talking with Wufei's joining in to argue a point, later no one noticed when the lights of the café dimmed down, the lights on a small stage towards the back side flickered to life and all music stopped. This of course (music stopping) managed to catch one person's notice at the six-man table. Duo halted his return duke to his Chinese partner mid-sentence when his favorite song was suddenly cut off.

Squawking indigently at the musical stoppage the American let out a disappointed "Awww maaaaannnn!!" turning to look for the giant of an owner and not finding him at his post. "Where'd 'e go!? I want my song back!"

"It wasn't your song Maxwell."

"Yes it was! That was my fave song Wu-man, you wound me!" dramatically throwing a hand over his head and 'fainting' onto the Japanese pilots shoulder. Duo smirked as he was shrugged off into his own chair. Giving a playful whack on the muscled shoulder and hopping not to be hit back - 'cause Heero didn't pull those punches - he turned 'round in his chair looking for Shawn, it was only a minute more before he realized what was going on and why the owner had disappeared.

Lights dimming a bit more and seconds later Shawn appeared on stage, microphone in hand smiling brightly at the patrons gathered in the cozy place. "Ladies and gentlemen! Ah'd like to welcome and thank ye all once again for coming to Clovers Rose. An' as ye know, or not, tanights a special night! We've got karaoke nights on Tuesde an' Thursdays. This behin' one of 'em. We of the staff invite ye to come on up an' try a tune! Donna beh shy now, we don't bite!"

"Hard!" someone in the crowd yelled out causing snickers to weave through some of the people there.

Laughing at the boy Shawn nodded, "Aye! Tha's true laddie! We donna bite 'less ye want us to! So come on up and try your spot!" With that he walked away setting the mic beside one of his workers and instructed her with what to do as the people came up to sing along.

It was after the renditions of "My Girl", "Dude Looks Like A Lady" and a terribly off key attempt at "My Maria", that one pair of eyes sparkled evilly, hands rubbing together under the table in anxious waiting for the one boy to step off stage 'cause his singing wasn't doing anything but causing headaches for the crowd. Honestly, if he wanted to try singing a song like that he should've taken a gal up with him 'cause there ain't no way that chico was going to hit the high notes needed for it. No way whatsoever!

Leaning over to insistently poke his friends side the youth motioned to the stage, grinned and winked. Getting a favorable reply they slipped away from the table into the darkness of the café and made away towards the now vacated stage.

The two had silently slipped from the table without anyone's noticing them leave. It was only minutes later when a pair of dark eyes looked over to observe two members of their group gone missing. A quick glance around them proved futile for the darkened lights hid most everything from view but that right around them and the lit walkways. Arching one onyx brow Wufei leaned over nudging his companion motioning to the two empty seats after his attention was gained. The other shrugged mouthing 'Don't worry' before going back to listening in on the Arabian and European's conversation.

Sighing in frustration settling back in his chair, the Chinese had to force his muscles to relax. Why couldn't Yuy see that when Maxwell and O'Malley were missing it wasn't for convenience sake? They were up to something, he was sure of it. Just what that *something* was though, he knew not. The American was eerily quiet on those small light feet of his he could creep on you in an alleyway full of broken glass and you'd still not hear him. So while Yuy was able to brush off the missing teens, he was not. His sense just screamed "not good!"

With another longed sigh he closed midnight eyes relaxing further. Maybe Yuy was right. Maybe it wasn't something to worry about... yet he could not deny his senses. They'd led him wrong before... but... no sense in worrying over what he could not change... for now anyhow.

Suddenly his musings were cut short when the soft strings of the next song started filtering through the air lowly. It was a soft song he noted, one that given the right circumstances he might fall asleep, as he was tempted to do now. Yet as his conscious mind began to haze into the sleep realm a familiar voice joined the song cords startling him back to reality. A form - no, two forms - were stepping off the yellow white of the stage onto the dropped down flooring, moving towards them, the light following them.

He needn't ask who it was; he knew. Maxwell and O'Malley. Wufei knew they were up to something. But singing? This was something that never crossed his sharp mind. It didn't seem their type of thing to do. Granted he had never heard either singing before, but... he would grudgingly admit to himself that Maxwell's voice was not a bad one. He even-

The Chinese boys internal thoughts were cut abruptly as the subject of his musings stepped before him, mic raised. Dimly he noticed Sean had copied his movements but had stopped some distance before his Japanese friend.

"~You never close your eyes anymore, when I kiss your lips,~" Duo's soft tenor floated through the air as he sung, lips smiling at the startled teen before him. His peripheral vision didn't fail to catch the slight shock flashing through stormy blues as the other accompanied him.

Sean raised his mike joining in with him, his accented alto managing to match the American's pitch near perfectly, voice just as soft, "~And there's no tenderness like before in yer fingertips,~"

Blinking rapidly Wufei wondered what the hell the American was trying to pull... he was... well, looked different... Maybe it was the lighting? "~You're trying hard not to show it, baby,~" Yes he was, he was trying exceptionally hard not to show how surprised and nervous he was at the moment. Having Maxwell advance on him unhurriedly, that look in his eyes... was a bit... unnerving.

"~But baby, baby ah know it...~" Sean's Irish accented voice wasn't effecting Heero quite as much as the braided ones was. It was slightly... disturbing, having someone singing to him. If might not have been so, if not for the look in the bright green eyes.

"~You've lost that lovin' feeling... Whoa, that lovin' feeling,~" Duo and Sean smiled to one another singing the chorus, eyes shinning brightly in the warm yellow-white light. The looks the two boys were giving... "~You've lost that lovin' feeling... Now it's gone... gone... gone... woooooh~"

Reaching his right hand towards the raggedly haired boy in front of him the Irish smiled sadly, playing his part, "~Now there's no welcome look in ye eyes when ah reach for ye,~" this was too good! Heero looked like he was ready to withdraw and back out of a confined space filled with more soldiers then even he was prepared to take on. Self-destructing was not an option this time.

"~And now you're starting to criticize little things I do,~" Smiling as he moved forward, hands itching to run over the smooth silky hair pulled back in that damned ponytail Duo settled for running his hand lightly on one bronze shoulder then pulling back.

His voice really was matching up to Duo's nicely, Heero noted reminding himself not to fidget in his seat. "~It makes meh just feel like cryin', baby~" Maybe they had too much to drink already, it was possible... only reason he could think of to say why the other boys eyes looked sad and dewy.

"~'Cause baby, something in you is dying,~" No, he was living quite fine, thank you very much. Wufei was still adamantly trying to find reason behind the braided teen's antics this night. Was it merely to see how much he and the Irish young man could make them squirm? And why was his shoulder considerably warmer then the rest of him where Maxwell had touched?

"~You've lost that lovin' feeling... Whoa, that lovin' feeling~" the two singers moved a bit closer to their startled pray, each facing eye to eye, "~You've lost that lovin' feeling... Now it's gone... gone... gone... woooooh~"

And hit their knees. "~Baby, baby, I get down on my knees for you... If you would only love me, like you used to do, yeah~" Sean stayed right where he was, he wasn't going to tempt those deep sea eyes to do any harm. Where as Duo on the other hand sang along with him but scooted closer to the Chinese teen, "~We had a love... a love... a love you don't find everyday... So don't... don't... don't... don't let it slip away,~"

As the song started to draw a close, Duo sung the main verses with Sean singing the repeated ones. "~Baby (baby), baby (baby)... I beg of you please... please... I need your love (Ah need yer love)~" It was turning out to be quite the evening, the two slightly buzzed boys thought, eyeing the four seated in front of them, "~I need your love (Ah need yer love)... So bring it on back (So bring it on back)... Bring it on back (So bring it on back),~"

Trowa and Quatre watched the two singing in silent wonder. "~Bring back that lovin' feeling... Whoa, that lovin' feeling~" Who ever would have thought that Duo had such a voice? And Sean's! Even with his accent sung a very smooth alto accompaniment to Duo's tenor, "~Bring back that lovin' feeling... 'Cause it's gone... gone... gone,~" If you would have told the Arabian some time ago that Duo could sing like this, he would have politely tried to deny it. Never having heard the boy sing before, but this was not what he would have expected even if he had. "~And I can't go on... Nooo...~" Duo had a wonderful voice. So rich and warm, it made you feel... relaxed inside. Drawing everything from you and calming... snickering silently he noticed the effect was not the same for his Asian friends.

Duo and Sean had them squirming in their chairs fidgeting by the time the last verse came up. "~Bring back that lovin' feeling... Whoa, that lovin' feeling,~" He watched while Sean stood, gave a slight bow and starting backing away from a minor glare Heero was throwing him. "~Bring back that lovin' feeling... 'Cause it's gone... gone... gone...~" While on the last cord notes, Duo had stood slowly, leaning forward to gently cradle Wufei's cheek in his palm, rubbing his thumb over the caramel skin, smiled as the last word left his mouth, and backed away with Sean into the darkness.

As the song died out, the singers vanished into the murky darkness of Clovers Rose's karaoke setting, there was a delayed reaction between ending and pause where there was pin drop silence. Then, the entire complex seemed to explode in cheers and whoops for the 'romantic duo' as people whispered them.

Back at the table where two young men were serenaded, sat two chuckling boys, one of blonde hair helplessly leaning on the other at the faces the last two held. Those two, poor men (depending on how well you knew them to tell the reaction) were sitting stock still in their chairs, backs straight. A dusty rose color littered their cheeks becomingly while almost on a simultaneous thought, they reached forward and pushed their drinks away from them. They'd had enough for tonight. No more... if they did, they'd probably find a European and Arabian doing the tango before long.

The last four stayed another hour or so before deciding to leave. They never perceived (or showed it) that they were the only ones walking home that night. When they got back to the dorms and bid one another farewell, the two Asians would enter their dorm room, discarding jackets on the hook at the door before entering their own rooms to prepare for sleep. Before they would drift to dream land though, a thought struck their minds, 'Where was Duo and Sean?'

They could hardly search for the Irish lad not knowing what dorm room was his own, but they could check on their surprisingly mischievous American friend. Carefully opening Duo's door as not to awaken or scare him (had he been in there) Heero and Wufei slowly peeked in to find their comrade soundly asleep curled up on top of his mattress, small smile on his lips.

Wufei snorted in amusement moving to retrieve the quilt off the back of the sofa. Figures the baka would abandon his friends in light of saving himself hurt, and head home to sleep. Though as he gently laid the quilt over the curled boy below his lips quirked into a minute smile. They were too stunned to rightly get back at the two boys, not that he could bring himself to just then. But maybe, one day him and Yuy could play a similar trick back on him. To him, tonight was special... it had left him with a confused warm feeling in the pit of his stomach that he couldn't rightly explain if he tried. Yet with time, perhaps he could figure it out.

Turning from covering his friend the Chinese noted he was not the only one having thoughts about tonight, though from the look on the others face it was hard to tell what he was feeling. He knew however, it was not anger or annoyance; it was something new in those deep azure eyes of his... Shaking his head Wufei offered a small smile to the questioning Japanese as he kindly shoved him from Duo's room closing the door and proceeded to keep prodding the other into his room, before turning himself into his own room for the night.

There was going to be a long day ahead of them tomorrow... but even worse for them... the two Asian beauties dreaded the day after, where they would be subjected to the crazy onna in the theater class... a shiver shot up his spine as he crawled into bed pulling the covers up tight. There was just something dishonorable about making them join that class without warning... The horrors that could happen there... shaking his silk covered head he forced his mind to blank out of thought, letting sleeps sweet embrace claim him.

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* Deathscythe Hell Jr.... ::shrugs:: I can't see the guys piloting regular mobile suits... I can see them as piloting smaller (less deadlier) versions of their gundams. ^_^ ::chuckles:: I'm hopeless, I know!

Lemme know whatcha think of it! ^_^ I'll have the next one out soon I hope. ::bows:: Sorry for the long wait on this one. I have started the other one, nowhere near done, but it's started. Sorry again for the wait people. Please lemme know how I did one this one! Arigatou!

Ja matte!

~ Anime Redneck

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Local Songfic Queen with all them sites and stuff... ^_^
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