~ Gundam Shakespearian Style ~

"The Cause & Affect Theory"

By: Anime Redneck

4-16-03 ~ 5-27-03

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Disclaimer: I don't own the guys. Do own Sean, Shawn and the plot though! ^__^

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Chapter VI: The Cause & Affect Theory

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Gym was turning out to be a blast! Basically since rain had canned their volleyball challenge between the Fishes and Sophs, the day had turned into a free for all. Well for most students that was, Duo reflected letting his gaze wonder over the groups playing ball (including his own), to the ones sitting on the benches talking, to the two large ones playing indoor football under Zechs' watchful eyes.

He, his Chinese and Japanese buddies were playing ball with some of the other students along with Noin on their team. Admitting to himself it was kind of a disadvantage for the other team to be up against four ex-pilots, three being of Gundams, but when he tilted his head and counted a total of fifteen on the other team he decided that it wasn't that bad. Three people tried guarding each person while the last three tried handling the ball and keeping it away form the four opposing team members.

Needless to say, the score was currently 30 to 12... the other team wasn't doing so good... It was sad really, because Heero's team wasn't even *trying* to keep them away... Had the Japanese boy had his way and none of the opposition his two kawaii friends provided for him; they'd be playing all out with the score near 130 to 20 by now... If the other team was lucky to get that way. As it was now... they only had 12 points thanks to Duo and Noin's soft sides for beating them so badly.

As it was they were having fun so he couldn't count anything out for not having a free for all; though next time he'd join Heero in insisting that they did! *Then* they'd see who ruled the courts! Hopefully without a few bruised ribs, twisted ankles, broken noses... It wasn't a battlefield after all.

Looking left, then right, trying to see the best rout in which to send the orange ball to his partners, swift feet faked dashing to the left as the body quickly spun round flinging the ball for all it's worth. Almond eyes sparkled delight watching as two seeming year older boys dodged out of the flying balls way to avoid being hit. He found no fault in their logic; the ball was a speeding projectile, thrown at speeds faster then the normal student could handle, yet not exceeding what he knew his three partners could endure. A few red hands would be his only guilt for this games round.

Every eye on the court followed the flying ball warily staying out of its path. None breathed, moved, until the definite slapping of skin on ball hide ricocheted past them all followed close by one American boys shout of "SHIT THAT STUNG!!" waving his one hand about while the other dribbled the ball.

Wufei smirked chuckling at the Look Heero threw him.

Ball in someone's hand, never mind whose, it was free game and people started to move once more. It was a hard, fast, frenzied sort of game from then on, a free for all the likes Duo wished for... the type that stuttered every now and then when one of the Four Team decided a Speeding Basket was needed and sent the ball back down the court like a blown rocket without wings.

"MOVE!!"

"I'm OPEN! I'm OPEN!"

It was a freshman; violet eyes narrowed never leaving the trailing ball in golden tanned hands. The game had escalated from 'Nice 'n Friendly' to 'I Can Kick Your Ass Twenty Ways To Sunday' without disregard for others safety. She supposed that was fine. True it'd most likely get her called into the headmaster's office, but she wasn't worried. After all, she *did* give prior warning to the other team of fifteen that this was going to be far from a normal game, and injuries were bound to happen. And what did they do? They decided to play anyways. It wasn't her fault if they got hurt... Technically it was, but she wasn't counting.

"HEERO!" could the student's get any louder? "STOP COURTING THE BALL AND PASS OFF!" Protecting the ball was one thing, hogging it was another. "Ouff!" though... wheezing from projectile impact, Noin decided she shouldn't have made that sound like a command and more like a teammates kind suggestion to let the others play a little too. Dribbling thrice the gym teacher turned player, turned, faked and shot. Nothing but net.

"Over here! Over here!!"

Blocking an underclassman's attempt to shoot the other basket, slamming his full body against the larger one enough to knock the ball loose, bronze shoulders shrugged the slightest before turning away from pursuing bodies and threw the ball towards the braided one jumping like a monkey with ants in his shorts.

Time seemed to slow it pace at that moment. He saw the ball leave his hands, hit the ground to bounce back higher into the air sailing for out stretched hands... He saw another ball airborne behind the lively American... a ball the other didn't know about. He heard himself shout, "DUO DUCK!" yet it sounded like a tape gone lax, drawn out and slow. His peripheral vision picked up Heero's startled jerk as his feet grounded to a halt, eyes widening the smallest bit no one else would've picked up on, as he noticed the unseen hazard flying for their braided friend.

Time seemed to resume it's task, it's speed picking up once more; as if it were only slowing down so the two Asian's could noticed, observe and worry over the happenings about the take place. It was then that sneaker clad feet began to work once more, pushing off the hardwood floor, pounding against the smooth waxed grain trying to reach his comrade before the ball struck. "DUO LOOK-" starting to shout was for naught... As soon as the words left his mouth three things happened at once. The basketball he'd thrown had reached Duo's hands with a soft 'snap' sounding with a happy "SUGOI!" shouted above all other ruckus before a resounding *crack* as the airborne football collided with the back of the American's head. Lastly, both him and Heero skidded to a stop at the same, crouching beside their fallen friend shooting worried looks while making sure nothing short of a bump to the front and have of his head was the problem.

Looks like they got out of class early this day. Making it back dry to the dorms carrying a body would prove a challenge. Nobody could ever say that things with them were normal.

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"...Consequently when the rise in..." the sensei's voice droned on and over the amassed student population. It wasn't that he didn't like this class... Accounting... it was that he really didn't need to be in it. He had enough torturing when he was a small boy still at home in light to take over his fathers business. He had a fair deal of accounting knowledge stored away, so this class really wasn't needed.

The other thing keeping him from liking the class was Dorothy's presence in the class.

The little blonde young man couldn't fathom why the eerie girl had taken the class... or where her partner in crime was at the moment... Wasn't quite sure he wanted to know either; with all their luck Relena was off somewhere stalking Heero, Duo and Wufei.

That was something else that neither pilot could figure out... Relena had stopped just keeping an eye on the Japanese youth and moved onto stalking the other two boys closest to his person. Duo and Wufei. Was it that she started to feel something for the two also? Or was she trying to make it hell for all three of them together since they hung out with Heero the most?

Ah... leaning back in his chair Quatre let a small smile tug at his lips ignoring the look Dorothy was shooting across the room at him. Another question in the preverbal bucket... What was going on with those three?

He had noticed the thereof the pilots hanging out together more often. Not that they didn't do that anyways with sharing quarters, but... He supposed it was more then that. He knew, they all knew, that the American held certain feelings for both Asian pilots... If nothing else they couldn't be sure on his standing with the Chinese one, then be certain he was on his feelings for the Japanese boy. There was no mistaking the way arms dangled over shoulder, hands touched with the simplest of passing plate or cup, the way eyes lingered a bit longer then need be.

No. There was definitely something going on there. Absently Quatre wondered if Heero knew of the others feelings or if he was as blind to them as he acted at times? It would take an act of the Gods to keep anyone from noticing how Duo treated the two Oriental boys.

It stuck him once, he remembered, that Wufei probably knew what was going on and just didn't say anything about it. Though whither this was true or not... the Arabian couldn't say. Could only go on what he'd seen... almond eyes tracking Duo's moments. Catching the wanting looks, sly finger touches, twist of words.

Smirking leaning forward to flip a page in his book to seem as if he truly were paying attention Quatre chuckled lowly. You couldn't fool him. Duo may try his own moves, find ways to be closer to the others without coming straight out and saying he liked them... But he knew... Oh Allah did he know! Asian's were known for being honest and sly in their own ways. One should not put it past them to notice what was going on and keep it to them selves.

Were it not just the other day his own eyes observed his Chinese friend moving behind Duo raking a hand across his shoulders while whispering something into the shell like ear? Was that not a shiver that ran down the braided boy's back from the action? And did not just the day or so before that, Heero walk into his very own kitchen and try to *tickle* Duo?

No... that wasn't something to raise brow about, or perhaps it was, since the Japanese pilot was not known to like human touches, nor to give them. So maybe, just maybe him trying to tickle his American roommate meant more then they all knew. If not, then the small smile on tanned lips sure tipped off that something was going on.

He wanted to laugh at it all!

The absurdity of it all was amusing! Like three little kids dancing around the last piece of candy and refusing to acknowledge that the other wants it just the same as their competitor. Wonder how long it would take before one of them cracked and admitted that he liked the other? How long before the others got game together and moved in for the kill? Wonder if kicking them in the ass to get it all started would prove anything for helping them out? That made him think.

With twenty-nine sisters, over half of them married off, Quatre Winner had more his fair share in match making lessons then the normal person would. Let no one be deceived by his angelic appearance, for a mastermind of kind underhanded ways lies beneath the exterior.

Maybe he *could* help the three of them get together... There would be no less. If the three of them didn't get together, he wasn't going to settle for just two together and only lonely person. No. As Duo would say, "No Way In Hell!" Not after watching all the looks and touches going on. Nope, he could do it. Then perhaps after helping them out he could tend to his own love interest.

Smiling widely, winking at Dorothy just to throw her off blonde hair swayed as his head nodded to an unheard beat while pulling out fresh paper and began to write. He needed to work more on his play. He figured the basic parts out to it... or so he thought.

Sensei said it couldn't be Romeo and Juliet... too many people had played off that one in the past and I'd never heard of it before anyways... Well no, that's not true; I had heard it once before when we stayed at another school on Earth. Seemed like a nice play. I'll have to ask Duo more about it just to see if I can't borrow things from it. Mrs. Minako-san said it couldn't *be* Romeo and Juliet, she didn't say I couldn't *borrow* things from that particular play and twist them around to fit my own.

Yes. That was not off limits.

There would be fighting, adventure, family feuds, battles, death, love, humor, deceit... All the things great plays I've been ushered to see had had in them. Three families were his main focus. They all knew each other, liked and hated each other. There would be friends of each, goofy in their own ways... Ways I have yet to figure out.

I wonder if Mrs. Minako-san would let me work with Trowa on that? I know I'm supposed to be working my own on this, but it's so much! Surely I'm allowed to have *some* help as long as they help isn't writing his own parts, ne? Hopefully. I'll have to ask tomorrow and see. Someone needs to help put together all the playing pieces. I might come up with them, but it'll be Hell on a hot day before I'm done if I do it on my own.

Even as his hand kept writing, his mind kept thinking up new and wondrous things to add to the play, his subconscious was thinking up players for it. The whole of the Theatrics class had to be in it, it was mandatory. Most would be stand ins, extras, he knew. His piloting group of seven would be in it, Relena, Dorothy... and some surprise visits from people they'd never think to see this school year... If he could pull it off.

His cast would be famous, though he hopped no one at the school knew them that well enough to know just *how* they were famous. One particular happy famous fellow was going to be court jester... Well, Quatre amended, at first he was... then his wicked side kicked in and choose another path for the jolly boy, one the Arabian was sure he'd be denied but wouldn't take No for an answer.

Smirking again his hand kept writing.

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Day... Hell I can't remember the day if I wanted to! My damn heads pounding like a freight train hit it. I was assured though by two lovely visions that it was only a friggin' *football!*

And *that* ladies and gentlemen doesn't make it any frillin' better! It still hurts like hell let me tell ya! Wait, just did... Okay so maybe I don't have to tell you anymore. I should tell ya what happened though, ne? heh Okies, here goes...

See yesterday... I know it was yesterday 'cause I'm walkin' towards Einstein's Corner, that basically tells me it's been a day... well, half a day since I was out of it... Anyways!

Yesterday playin' ball with the guys and Noin-gal in gym class we were kickin' the shit outta them under and over classed goobers. They didn't wanna take Noin-gal's warning seriously so we played nice for half an hour then kicked into mean playing free for all. That. Was when the injuries started to happen. I snicker hopping over a puddle of water. Injuries no kidding! I wound up being one of them, but not from basketball.

Nope. Some damned idiot from the football game Zechsy was supposed to be watching over threw the balls, guess someone else missed it 'cause my head sure caught it! And my mind decided to take a leave of absence over the blow from it. SO! I was knocked out cold, was told that Fei-babe picked me up and carried me back to the dorms while Hee-chan, if you can believe this or not, held an umbrella over the both of use while walking and glaring anyone else away that choose to come too close for his liking to inquire what was going on.

It just me, or does there appear to be some possessiveness going on here? Not that I mind! Hell No! Please be possessive all you like, but do it while I'm *not* unconscious! I'd love to see it for myself. 'Cause hearin' it and seein' it are too different things and I wanna know I just ain't throwin' round blank clues for Twiddle Dee and Twiddle Dumb to try noticin'.

So anyways. I came to about; oh I don't know... maybe eight that night, asked what happened, demanded Advil and a little sumthin' to eat before fallin' back into sleep. It was nice though ya know? 'Cause when ya get knocked out like that your mind kinda takes a bit to wake back up and mentally go over a checklist to see what's missin', hurt and whatever. In that time your eyes open super slow - well mine do anyways. And I saw the cutest sight ever!

Alright, maybe there could've been cuter ones, but considering the people, I thought it was a damn cute one! See I had opened my eyes just enough to see past the curtain of lashes and glanced around. The lights were low, thankfully 'cause my head was poundin' like a bitch! I turned left, nothin', bed was empty; I wondered how I got from the gym to our room anyhow... Then I turned right and made good on tryin' not to make a noise... 'Cause there, on Heero's bed sat my two Asian buddies.

They sat on the edge, facin' me, Heero had his left arm around Wufei's shoulders while he was lookin' down his eyes half closed, both their brows were furrowed in what I guess was worry over me. Unless something else happened after they took me to our room.

So they were worryin' over me! heh And the really cute part was beside Hee-chan showin' some form of emotion beside annoyance, was that he was tryin' to comfort Fei-babe in an unsure way, kept eyein' the Chinese beauty like he worried of doin' sumthin' wrong. But from my lay point, he wasn't. Doin' it all right if I do say so myself. But the kicker was that Fei-babe was actually leaning into the hold!! Oh and get this... that wonderfully bronze skin of his didn't hide the rose dust blush spreadin' across high cheekbones.

I laugh now like I wanted to then. But then after takin' in my fill of the worried duo - snicker, I groaned, headache becomin' more of a pain in the ass then before, watched absently amused while the two practically jumped apart, throwin' questioning looks to each other before Heero shrugged and started askin' me standard questions to make sure there were no head problems besides the ones he already thinks I have on a normal basis.

Grinnin' I laugh entering Einstein's Corner... ya know, what my name was, what day it was, how many fingers, who's the Prez of the World Sphere... that kinda crap.

After I was a good boy and answered them all to their liking. I demanded my Advil, water and sumthin' to eat before fallin' asleep again. Fei-babe woke me up earlier this mornin' though and told me to stay home and not worry about class... That he didn't want anything more to happen to me and he didn't think that I was all that well enough t'be walkin' around yet.

It was sweet really. But as ya can see... I *am* walkin' around. Walkin' right into my last class of the day actually... Wonder what ol' Hee-chan'll do when he sees me sittin' 'ere eh? heh Me not s'posed to be here an' all that jazz. But oh well! This is actually one of the classes besides Ancient History that I *like!* And that's sayin' sumthin'.

Sooo... walkin' on in carefully, my head still decides to pound now and again if I step to hard or fast. Really I should have taken Fei-babe's advice and stayed home, but I had to come to this class! I mean hell, I slept all night from like what, 4pm-8pm, ate a little sumthin' then went back to bed only waking up a little 'round 7am for Fei to tell me to stay home and went back to bed again not gettin'' up 'til 2pm to get showered and dressed so I could come to *this* class. I love this class man!

See if other schools we went to had a class like this, there wouldn't be any problem with getting me to attend school more often. Or at least attend that class of it anyhow. I mean hell, I'd be there right? Chuckling I wave to Professor Smith and take my seat up at the very back and wait. Soon, like say in twenty minutes, this class with leave and mine will enter, along with a very handsome pissed off looking Japanese man. Smirking I take out some paper to doodle on and wait quietly.

Like clockwork, twenty-three minutes later a navy blue and black clad utsukushii Japanese walks into the room and my mind takes a coherent leave of absence, eyes glued on his form as I scoot back in my chair still idly drawin' sumthin' on the sheet of paper I had taken out.

Mmm, mm, mm, mm, MM! I wish I had a body like that! Oh wait... I do! I sit here grinning from my place in the back of the Parapsychology class. Who wouldda ever thought that he'd take this course? I can't stop grinnin' as he nods curtly to the teacher then scans the room for a place to sit. Eyes roamin' lookin' for a place and widenin' slightly, linger on me a second before he heads over.

Wow. Ya know they really should have a law against havin' a body like that. Small compact, nothin' but muscle... bet that body only has a two percent fat rate or sumthin' I'm tellin' ya. Just look at those muscles ripple as he strides over here. Does he even know he's doin' that? Stridin', I mean? He's s'pposed to be the Perfect Soldier and all. Granted the wars are finally over.

Hmm over... I sit back starin' at the ceiling at that one. Are they really over? You can't ever be sure on that sortta thing. There's always someone out there power hungry ready to ruin whatever semblance of peace we've got now. Joinin' the Preventers wasn't a bad idea after all. heh Can't forget the look on our faces when we found out old Une babe was gonna be the head of it all. What a shocker... I'm surprised she let us attend this place... We only agreed to join 'cause that's the only way some of us know how to live. Join as a group 'cause that's when we're at our best.

Shakin' my head I try to banish those thoughts... This is our vacation! I'm not s'pposed to be thinkin' heavy crap like that! But if Shinigami's needed again then I'll be ready for it! Turning to the side lookin' for my main man I realize he's sitting on the other side. I grin.

Opps, damn, when he'd get there? Guess what they says true. Birds of a feather flock together. But in our case... a very special case... they should change that to sumthin' like umm... Birds of a feather stealth together. Chucklin' at that draws his attention to me, even a brief glance from the corner of his eyes...

Ohh what eyes! Wonder what he'd do if I ever told him how they looked? That you could drown in 'em... loose yourself in 'em? He'd probably hit me that's what! Poor guy... talk about needin' ta live a little man! Yep... crackin' my knuckles I take on the job of bein' the one person that can get under his skin and teach 'im something about living. Leave it to me, Duo Maxwell, livin' live and livin' proud extraordinaire!

"Hey buddy! Gotta light?" I ask gettin' a look from him. He moves to his pocket and pulls out... a lighter? What hells he doin' with a lighter? Chucklin' I grin shakin' my head waving it off. "Dude I'm kiddin'! But hey, whatcha doin' with one of them anyways huh?"

No answer.

Was I really expecting one? Nooo... just talkin' to air like a normal person would. I mean you can hold *such* interestin' conversations with him and all. Doesn't matter what you say or do it won't hurt ya. The only difference between his air and actual air is he can hit you! That boy's small build might make others think he's an easy target. Hell. *I'm* an easy target too! Well I look it. I grin, but damn does he have a *mean* right hook! Shit last time he punched me I couldn't breath... friggin' passed out. But hey, that's the Perfect Soldier for ya.

"So, come here just to collect dust or ya spyin' on someone?"

Why did he join this class anyways? I needed another one to take, nothing else seemed interestin', all borin' and slow crap I already knew. Guess that's one good thing about the doctors findin' you to become a Gundam pilot. They teach you *everything* you could ever *want* to know. Or, in my case, *not* want to know.

Not like I enjoyed the schoolin' of some subjects, but hey if it remotely keeps me from overloadin' my brain now. Great! If not, screw it! Chucklin' I notice he still hasn't answered me yet. Personally I didn't think it was that hard of a question... coulda been wrong though... I stare at him with my best 'Well, ya gonna tell me or not? 'Cause ya know I'll keep buggin' ya!' look.

Glaring from the corner of his eye while the others trained on his book - scary - he grunts "Interesting" then the other eyes goes back to his book too. How can he *do* that?! Dude there's gotta be sumthin' wrong with anyone that can do that. Well naw... can't say they 'cause then people'll think I was weird... I mean I can wiggle my ears while twitching my nose at the same time. Cute, but weird; So I really can't say havin' one eye lookin' one thing while the other is lookin' at sumthin' else, is weird.

But damn he's fine! Okay, I really have to stop thinkin' like this! He's my best friend for cryin' out loud! Sure we share the same dorm room... but... Grinnin' I can't help but think back to how *that* got arranged. Funny how you've got three people to a dorm room and somebody winds up with two, right? Do I have one person you might wonder? Noppers, no sir're... I've got two bunkin' with me, but stole one from someone else and made up someone for the other.

Confused yet? I'd be.

See when we first for here Trowa, Quatre and Wufei were bunkin' in one dorm, or well, supposed to. When I saw I was roomed with none other then the kawaii Perfect Soldier himself and someone I didn't know. Now contrary to everyone knowin' I love bein' around people and makin' new friends... I don't like roomin' with someone I don't know. Yeah, I didn't know any of the guys at the beginnin' either, but that was different. I knew that we were all the same in a way, fightin' for the same things, same ways.

Now how that changes the fact that I've come to trust bein' in a room alone with any one of 'em, and not someone else... Not to sure. I feel comfortable with 'em. I *know* them. I ain't sleepin' with someone I don't know... I chuckle quietly, boy that didn't come out right. Its true, but heh didn't come out right.

I don't sleep with anyone period. I've shared a bed from time to time with one Heero Yuy when the nights got cold and the hotel didn't have spider webs for sheets. Tell you what though... that small body packs some heat! I'm not surprised anymore that he can walk around in the friggin' snow wearing nothin', but his tank top and spandex... not that I'm complainin' now... oh noo... I could never get tired of lookin' at *that* figure...

Lettin' a happy sigh escape me I shake my head. Off of the subject right, back on track... Swear I've got a one Heero track mind. I grin.

So I find that those three get the pleasure of roomin' together and I'm stuck with someone I didn't know. Bein' the person that I am, I hacked into the computers data and - Hey! Stop laughin' at me man! Just 'cause Soldier Boy over there's the best in probably the Earth and Colonies, doesn't mean I don't know sumthin' of them too! I'll have you know that Trowa and I are second to Heero in that area so nuuuh! Mentally stickin' out my tongue I settle for grinnin' on the outside. I think I've drawn enough attention for the moment.

Great I'm talkin' to myself again... err anyways... So I hacked in, switched the info sayin' Wu-man was stayin' with them, to our room and made up a person with all the file work as someone to stay with Trowa and Q. Since the college really doesn't pay attention to whose stayin' with who, it's not a problem. Not that those two weren't thrilled about it or anythin'. I mean Q-man almost strangled me to death while huggin' me! Gotta be nice havin' someone like that... yep... must me nice...

I'm happy though; all five of us are like a small family. Ya know? Grew close during the wars, watched each other's backs. Still annoyin' the hell out of them all, still get death threats thrown at me. I have to laugh at that one, but at least they all love me, in their own ways of course. Glad we're not blood related 'cause then I'd feel *really* bad about my thoughts on two of them.

Snickerin' lost in my thoughts I don't realize when the teacher tried starting class. "Eepp!" yelpin' with a little jump I stare down where sumthin' sharp poked me. Followin' the retreatin' hand I look up into impossibly deep blue, piercin' eyes, one of which has a chocolate brow raised elegantly at me in, question? Whoa... Heero raising a brow in question... That's a sign of some kind I'm sure, and it ain't the 'omae o korosu' for not payin' attention. I'd remember that kind.

Givin' my bright smile to Heero I decide to turn around and pay attention to the teacher before my thoughts really start to get carried away. That wouldn't be good.

I've had Wu-man tell me I talk to myself at times. I didn't know that. Always bein' alone you miss certain things about yourself. When lost deep in thought I'd be surprised if anyone knew they actually talked to themselves while they did it. But he told me that before, so lettin' my thoughts run around in circles like they're doing now... wouldn't be good. Knowing me I'd slip up and say sumthin' out loud that I'd regret and shouldn't of. Wouldn't be good to scare anyone... yet.

Consentratin' on the teach ain't workin' that well, I keep getting' a picture of a raven haired, darker then midnight eyed boy in my mind now that I brought 'im up. Gah! I swear... my thoughts roam about midnight and stormy seas... It amazin' I get anythin' done at all, right? heh Tell me about it!

See? I told ya there was sumthin' goin' on here that I didn't know about. Well, maybe it ain't that I didn't know about it. Maybe it was that I just didn't notice and figure out what it is. See, I know what I like. I like two things, I just can't says what they are, though I betcha that one little blonde Desert Prince knows what's goin' on; that boy don't miss much. I wonder how long it'll take 'im to start in on his match making skills?

Oh? Ya mean ya didn't know he had a matchmaking side to 'im?! Wow... And people say I'm slow! Yup, yup, our little blonde boy just *loves* to play matchmaker. Who ya think (with help) got Noin-gal and Zechsy together? I grin noddin' to myself. Yeppers! Me an' him did! They make a cute pair ne?

Have ya noticed how Fei acts around us? Tiltin' my head to the side I watch Hee-chan. I really wasn't sure on nuttin' 'til last night... honestly... I mean, some of the things they would do, say things they thought (I'm pretty sure) they didn't think I heard 'em... But I did. So I have my suspicions on them and they've got some on me. Fair playing field, now who'll make the first move?

Sometimes I get the feeling that we'll just dance around each other 'til the end of our days, hell, 'til the end of time! Silly thought, I know, but I can't help to think it.

Gettin' serious on it though... We're all scared.

heh Sad really. Bunch of Gundam pilots... all five of us... We've faces hordes of OZ soldiers, Alliance dip shits... lived through countless battles... And we're scared to show what we really feel for one another.

I know, I know... fightin' in the wars and love are two totally different things. Risking two totally different things with outcomes either good or bad. I know. But still, it's a bit silly. I know I'm backin' off enough for them to be first, selfish maybe, but I've lost all I've ever loved, and even though we've been through some tough shit together, I'm still wearily of loosing them to whatever. I mean, I like 'em lots... afraid to say I love 'em 'case sumthin' happens and they disappear on me... but everyone I've loved has been hurt in some way, or died. Granted we're one of the main causes for the wars ending, we lived and all, but you still hold onto the most silliest of fears in times when there shouldn't be any.

How do I know the others are scared? Good question.

Ya see; it's the eyes man. I know, old saying seems true though, "Eyes are the windows to the soul." They can tell you more then a person would like others to know. Heero though... that boy's got excellent shutters let me tell ya! DJ done went and did some drastic shit to that poor boy. He's openin' up around us though, I think anyways. I mean, I've seen more emotion out of him besides anger and annoyance since we first met. So I'm happy with his progress. And last night with him huggin' Fei and all was just icin' on the cake. There's feelin's in that boy yet and we'll get 'im showin' 'em, you just wait and see! heh Guess that's all any of us can really do, eh?

Anywho... Yeah, it's the eyes. Heero... well like I said there. The boy has wonderful shutters to hide what them outstandingly brilliant blues feel. But at times, I can see the warmth in them, what he ties to hide while around us. Last month like towards the end, we went to the Blazing Star's woman's volleyball game - don't ask, we were all bored alright? And hey! It was sumthin' new to go see. I ain't ever seen girls sports before, and NO! It wasn't for any other reason ya damned perv! - While we were sittin' there, I was stuck between the two of them. I don't know what it is, but every time we go somewhere, I'm stuck between the two of 'em! I'm not kiddin' either!! If it's all five of us together, it usually goes, Q, Tro-man, Hee-chan, me and Fei-babe. See. Me in the middle there. Sumthin' like there not bein' two of me so they share or sumthin', just my thoughts but anyways!

We was at the game and I sittin' between 'em when I noticed that Fei-babe had scooted back a bit and was lookin' over at Hee-chan. heh It was cute. I say that a lot about them both, but it really was. I mean he was trying to *sneak* glances at the other come on! Fei's too... elegant like to be *sneaking* glances at Heero! Everything he does is with a purpose and grace only cats normally possess. Have ya ever noticed that? It's awesome to watch, 'cause I don't think he knows he has it, or does everything like that. Must be those 'Katas' I catch him doing before the sun fully rises. That takes some supreme concentration there; he performs 'em with the same natural born (I swear) grace that he does everything else with.

So there I was watchin' him outta the corner of my eye, he had this slow sort of smile-smirk on his face and his eyes were brighter. I still can't figure it that was from the lighting of the sun or if it was an inner light? But well he had that look about 'im then he turned and looked at me. heh Talk about lookin' away quicker then anything! I laugh getting Heero raising a curious brow at me; I smile waving him off turning back to the sensei like I'm paying attention. Hey, I love the class enough to go home, open the book and read all the neat, interesting stuff in it.*

When he looked at me, his smile widened a bit - I'm not kidding! It sounds weird even to me at times, but I'm honest to Hades serious! It was almost as if he realized sumthin' he hadn't before and it made 'im happy. I don't know. I've never seen Fei-babe truly happy. I don't think any of us has been truly happy since the wars started, ended... maybe content a bit, but not truly happy. I know I haven't, but that's gettin'' off point again! I'm good at doing that, ne? My mind loves to wonder on me.

So I looked away from him forward then from my other eye watched as Heero turned his head a little looking between the two of us. His eyes... Hades can strike me down if I'm lying; but his eyes held warmth in them I had never, ever, seen before. I could not, still cannot, tell you why it was there, but my friend I swear to you I saw into his soul that night and he was happy with whatever it was that made him that way.

And I don't just mean, 'He's happy for now and fine' kind of happy. I mean *truly* happy. Which if you know this Heero Yuy, you know that's a very special thing to notice indeed. His life hasn't been the best. He's told Fei and me at times what happened while he grew up; sometimes it was flashes of memories floatin' to the surface from sumthin' else that we'd been talkin' 'bout and he'd just up and tell us something about his past. It's a rare happenin' that when it does; you shut up and listen to every word out of his mouth. Not that we don't do that already, but ya know...

Yup, so see? Heero has emotions even if he doesn't let them show to us openly. He was happy that night and I've been tryin' ways to get him like that again. I've only succeeded in getting amused smile-smirks from him. I chuckle burring my head in folded arms grinning. Its worth it though!

And Fei... heh Fei-babe has given me actual *smiles* for my attempts that seemed to half fail half win with Hee-chan. Glancing over at the Asian beside me I wonder if Fei was smiling because they didn't work but to slightly amuse Heero, or if he was smilin' because it was funny watching me try to get reaction out of him... heh My luck it was probably both of them! Not that I care really, I'm happy if they're happy. Think it's always been that way between us. I don't know though... someone better step forward and do sumthin' here.. Chucklin' I shakes my head. Gods above are we a sorry group or what?

Well, naw I can't say that. I mean we're not any better then Trowa and Qat! Now, *that* is a sorry pair. I want to laugh there but settle for bitin' my pencil instead. I mean com on people! Those two at least *know* that they like one another and they haven't done crap to get together! How sad is that? And to think that one day in time poor little Qat is goin' to try gettin'' us three together - and yes I firmly believe this, he can't stay out of matchmakin' to save his life - with not tryin' to get together with Tro-man, is just sad...

heh Maybe we all can return the favor and set them up? Gives me something to think on and I just might... Now if I can only recruit two others, we'd be jamin'!

Right, school, work, Sensei... I've got class to pay attention to now, I think I've finally ran out of ramblings to keep me side tracked from work. That is... I have if Hee-chan doesn't stop lookin' at me like that! He's throwing me his version of "I know something you don't know" look.

Chuckling lowly at him I shake my head winkin' at 'im. I'll figure whatever it is out in due time, you just wait and see. But for now, back to work...

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~ * @ * ~

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"Mind if I sit down?"

"...Nae."

"Yes."

"Damnit Duo!"

"WHAT!?"

"Let her sit down."

Rolling his eyes at the quartet he sighed, "Fine, she can sit her muddy ol' grungy self down then" muttering lowly, not wanting the Pretty 'n Pink-hime to hear him he hunkered down more in his own seat, once again between the two Asians.

It was Friday night; they were all, the guys and him - now plus Relena and her loyal follower Dorothy - were all gathered at The Clovers Rose for a few drinks and idle chatter. There had been a few things happening this week, which still floated through all the boys' minds and needed to be talked about. One such thing - or person, were the two just now making them selves comfortable across the booth from them.

It was sort of a Cause & Affect chain thing, Quatre noticed suddenly. Because of Duo's football to the head Tuesday, he noticed it affected Heero and Wufei to show worry for the longhaired teen, keeping a close eye on him. They were acting protectively over the boy and Duo didn't seem to mind one bit. Heero - the Arabian snorted hiding a smirk behind his cup thinking back, had even went so far as to punch another student with the baseball he was swinging at, for pulling on the lavish braid of his roommate.

Because of his two Asian friends acting protective of the pale skinned beauty... it had some interesting... side affects should he say? One such as Dorothy turning her 'affections' from himself to Duo in hopes of... something, while Relena remained strong in annoying the Japanese youth to no ends. But for some strange reason she had started to shower the other oriental boy with the like enthusiasm.

Quatre had not yet figured this bazaar change in events out.

Like wise for this inane acting, it had fueled Relena and Dorothy's following of the three handsome teens into The Clover's Rose for their weekly drinks. Though they were not particularly welcome, the Desert Prince didn't mind as much as he would have in the past few weeks. One was because the attention was off of his being and on another's. Two. Was because watching the five of them squabble had given him more ideas for his play!

Oh it was odd alright, the way ideas seemed to flow to him from the bickering of his friends, but it was just that! His friends were going to be the ones in the play. Granted if Minako-san let him, he'd be in it also; he already got the clearance to have Trowa help him with writing out some of the lines, but the *idea* the *plot writing* all had to be done by him. It was not a complication on his part. He could handle writing the rest of it just fine, but the scope that he pictured this play... for him to be writing all the lines on his own would prove to be hospitalizing.

It would take a while yet before the play script was completed, but he had most of the plot worked out, enough that after brainstorming over the actual player lines and getting enough done, they could actually start rehearsing a few parts of it. Might not all be in order thanks to scattered lines he already had planned out... but they could do it. Then, maybe he could get together with his co-planner and get the woodshop working on the playgrounds. He didn't know where it was going to be held, hopefully not in the auditorium; it was too small. He needed a place larger then that... somewhere they could have all three sets together without taking time between to actually *switch* them out before continuing. No, that just wouldn't do. Not for his baby. He'd need to talk to Minako-san again.

"Ah dinna do it." the soft voice snapped him from his thoughts to the present, wondering what he had missed he looked over the Irish lad, noticing it wasn't he whom was in 'trouble'... seemed the olives had mad an attack again tonight.

"Sean, please refrain from throwing things, it's un-gentlemanly." Sniffling superiorly at the air while dabbing a bit of dark stain from her blouse Relena eyed the others. She hadn't seen which direction the flying object had come from truly, but knew enough of it's flight that it came from the other side of the table, though no one had moved.

Frown ever so, Sean commented, "If'n ah beh throwin' thin's lass, yeh'd know it. Ah wou'na missed meh target like tha sorra fool jus' did."

"Ohhh...." Duo straightened in his seat. This was the best thing happening all night! Well, at least sense Relena and Dorothy pup decided to show up. Frown marring his features, hands shuffled to either side under the table. "Thems be soundin' like fightin' words ta me!" quoting in his best Southern accent from a western movie he'd seen one night long ago.

"I do not fight Maxwell... it's unlady like."

"You ain't no lady" slipped from his mouth before he could stop it. Thankfully, for a reason he wasn't sure on, it only carried to the closest sitting next to him.

Watching the three's arguing once more, Trowa wondered if they'd ever find a way to get some peace and quiet from them. Nothing had gone amiss while it was 'just the guys', however as soon as Relena and her girl showed up, the problems started. He'd never tell who was actually throwing the olives this time, if he did, then it would not be as much fun later on. He would venture to suggest, it was no one at their current table, they some were loaded and prepared to fire.

"Do it Trowa! Do it!" quietly, a happy whisper in his ear. He wasn't so sure though, eyeing the blonde beside him who currently seemed to be writing in a spiral bound notebook. The same that held all his play ideas. The blonde minx had been working on it for the past few weeks, only worked out the beginning of it so far; now, together, they were trying to come up with all the first act lines for the players. Next, would be the challenge of getting said players agreeing to actually participate in the play. No truer challenge had yet to be held.

Still... his current bribing from a longhaired coyote was another matter all together, though no less a brave take on his part. He had seen over the last few weeks, just how much the other cared, but could he actually go through with it? It wasn't even the last few weeks, he knew. It was there through the wars as well, but getting up the nerve to actually pull it off was something of another matter. It didn't start for another two hours, so they had time to get ready and go, but still...

"Just do it damnit or I'll hide the hair gel!"

He would too, Trowa realized with a start; one visible eye widening just a fraction. He supposed, the 'wither he could or not' was taken from his hands and made into a 'must do' situation. For there was no way he would willingly walk around campus with his hair sticking twelve way from Sunday in the air... it wasn't a pretty sight, even to him whose hair it was. So... gathering in a deep breath he leaned over in his seat towards the studious working blonde angel whispering in his ear.

The pen whish had been breezing across the page, pausing here or there, dropped to the table, aqua eyes widened as the cherub face turned to stare at him. Had he heard that right? Ears were working at 100%, right? Must be, he could hear Duo's quiet laughter from where he was seated near two bodies down from him. Had Trowa truly just asked him out on a date? Well he hoped it was meant as a date... sounded like no other to him... And to the opera house no less!

Nodding his head vigorously agreeing to go he quickly leaned over pecking the shocked teen on the cheek before gather up his things barely catching the show was in two hours. Didn't matter. They needed to go *now!* If not, they'd never get dressed and there in time. He knew; he'd been to these things often enough. And they were playing his favorite tonight!!

Quickly the two bid their farewells and scuttled from the café with a sedated speed which made Wufei proud as he glanced over to his happily content hyper pilot. Who was currently lounging back in his chair like a large cat whom had just had his feel of splendid milk.

Looking between the door and his roommate the young Chinese man wondered if his friend had something to do with the rapid departure of the other two. It was obvious, even to him, that Barton and Winner had a 'thing' for one another and needed a push in the right direction. Their sharing a large space alone had thought to be push enough, but had proved him wrong. Had he knowledge in such areas he would have pushed a little more, but sadly he lacked knowledge enough to do so. Duo, it seemed, either held some or knew instinctively what to do to get the two of them together. Or start thereof.

"Why don yeh jus' leave alreade?" He liked to think he was a nice guy. Kind patient, showed the ladies respect at all times, controlled his rare ire... Yet it was steadily rising in light of being called a basic liar to his face for throwing olives he had not once laid finger on.

"It is a free establishment, we shall stay until we see fit to leave, not a moment before." Dorothy finally spoke up, eyeing the two.

"Aye, and mayba it beh, bu' ye dinna 'ave ta go n'blame meh for tha flying veggies. Ah dinna do it."

Leaning forward in his seat, ignoring the restraining hands on either of his shoulders, Duo was ready to jump in should a fight break out. Sean and Wufei might have qualms about hitting a woman, hell he did to! But Dorothy Catalonia and Relena Ann Peacecraft were no woman. He'd hit them and soundly, no problem. After all, they went way over the line. You did not. Ever. Call either him or Sean a liar. You did, you just settled yourself in a deathbed. They didn't lie, ever. May Hades have pity on the pool fool that did it for they wouldn't.

"Lets go." It wasn't a suggestion, it was an order; Heero's order. Shrugging the three boys stood, two glaring at the girls seated at the table still and left towards the door catching the tail end of giggles before two loud streaks reached their ears as they reached the door.

Turning around found fast shocked wonder etching into the five faces looking back. There at the table, sat two drenched, shaking, girls. From head to foot water of some kind rolled down their heads to body and floor. It didn't take but a second for keen eyes to spot the olive jar quickly making it's decent toward the floor, leaving free to roll away from the table as if nothing happened.

It wouldn't have struck them as odd if the jar were simply falling. But the rate of decent was too slow, too natural for someone holding the jar. The almost frightening weird thing was to them, no one was.

Shrugging quickly, putting it from mind, the five boys left The Clover's Rose for their dorm room to plan the next course of action.

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1. Utsukushii - Handsome/good looking

2. Parapsychology - no people, I don't take the class. I'd actually love to if ever I had the chance. But I am known around these parts as the "Local Ghost Expert"... I've read every book about it I could get my hands on since I was real little. Trust me. There are a lot of fascinating and neat things you can learn from them.

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Wah I'm sorry!! ::bows:: I haven't put anything out in a *loo~ong* while. Very sorry! My idea of which story was going to be out next (originally TTTO2) didn't work out with the ideas for writing on stories in my head, then I just... didn't have ideas. ::large sweat drop:: BUT!! They came back!! SEE!? I WROTE! ^_^

::bows again hurriedly:: PLease forgive me, I'm sorry! I don't know which will be out next, maybe LiS:ADL2... maybe. I don't know. We'll see. Sorry again for not writin' in a while... Do have a question. Let me know if y'all think I'm rushing this. There's going to be a time jump in the next chapter. Has to be one. I'm anxious to get this moving towards where all the silliness is, and I don't want to rush or take it as a snails pace, so please tell me if I am. Rather then that... HOPE YOU ENJOYED!! ^___^

Keep it kickin'!

~ Anime Redneck

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The Certifiable Songfic Queen

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