AN: Hiyas everyone! We're back with a whole new chapter! This one is longer than the others and twice as good. We hope you enjoy it and get all the cameos too!
p.s. A piranha is Any of several tropical American freshwater fishes of the genus Serrasalmus that are voraciously carnivorous and often attack and destroy living animals.

p.p.s. Astra, you deserve kudos!!! You know who Kyosuke is!!!! ^_^


'text' indicates thought.
"text" indicates speech.


Palpitations of the Heart
by Miyoko (BabySnowAngel) and Rin-chan

Chapter Four

They spent the rest of their time at the festival walking around with Duo carrying Fluffy the piranha and Heero eyeing the metal box nervously.

"Hey, guys, I have to go. My roommate is sick and I promised I wouldn't stay out too late," Heero said a few hours later. Everyone except Duo said their goodbyes and moved a little ahead to give the couple some room.

"Duo, do you think you could put Fluffy down so I can have a goodbye hug?" Heero asked looking at her boyfriend and the terrifying metal box.

Duo gently set down his precious piranha and said, "Do you want me to walk you back?"

"No, but thanks. Don't you have to get a tank and stuff for Fluffy anyway?" Heero replied as she slipped her arms around his neck.

"Yeah, I guess I do. Hey I want to tell you something," Duo said pulling her closer to him, his arms around her waist. "Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?"

"Probably, but you're more then welcome to say it again," Heero replied a smile on her face.

"You look very beautiful tonight," Duo said as he gave her a small kiss on the lips. "But that's not what I wanted to tell you. I've fallen in love with you. You're the most amazing person I've ever met. Your smile brightens even the darkest of days. You're always thinking of others before yourself.

"And I love your eyes. They are the color of the ocean on a warm summer's day. I could drown myself in them.

"I love you, Heather Yuy, with all my heart." Heero stood there with tears in her eyes letting his words sink in.

"Oh Duo, I love you too!" she exclaimed before she pulled him towards her for a passionate kiss1. Their kiss was of a deep true love that one might only find in fairy tales. They reluctantly broke apart to take a breath of much needed air.

"I had a great time, Duo," Heero said as she slowly pulled away.

"So did I," Duo said. "Now, you be careful on your way home. I don't want you getting hurt."

"I will. Good night," she said before she headed off. When she was almost out of sight she turned and blew him a kiss. He did the same.

When Heero got back to her dorm she quickly changed into her pajamas and got into bed

"He loves me!" she said before fell asleep, a happy smile on her face.

Heero woke up early the next morning. She took a shower, put on her clothes, and slipped out of the dorm, being careful not to wake Duo or the piranha. She decided to go for a walk through the park.

Heero sighed happily as she thought about her man. Duo really was an extraordinary guy and to think that he loved her. Everything seemed to be going perfectly except for that little fact: her having to dress as a guy. She walked around for a few hours until she heard a sound that should never in a million years be heard.

"HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEROOOOOO!!! MY LOOOOOOOOOOVE WHEEEEERE AAAAAARE YOOOOOUUUU?! THE STARS SAY THAT WE ARE TO BE MARRIED RIGHT AWAY!!!!!" the Thing yelled out of its pink limo. The Thing didn't even realized it had run over some guy holding roses in a black cape with a black mask. Heero visibly cringed before she sprinted in the opposite direction.

A few minutes later, Heero thought it was safe and slowed down to a brisk walk. Meiran had told her about how Meiran's school was having a dance in a couple of weeks, and Heero wanted to invite Duo to it. She quickly found a pay phone, put her money in, and dialed Duo's number.

"Shinigami here!" Duo said as he picked up the phone.

"So you're the god of death now?" Heero said smiling to herself.

"Heather! I suppose I am," Duo replied.

"Thanks again for last night."

"You're welcome. Although you were the one who invited me."

"I did, didn't I. Oh well then. Hey there's a dance at my school in two weeks; I was wondering if you wanted to go with me," Heero said slightly nervous.

"I'd love to!" Duo replied.

"Great! I'll meet you in front," Heero said, a huge grin on her face. "I have to go now. My roommate needs to use the phone. I love you."

"I love you too. See you soon!"

"Bye," Heero said before she hung up. She sighed in relief and headed back towards her dorm to do her homework.

The day before the dance finally arrived and Heero had found the perfect dress. She went to bed with happy thoughts of the day ahead. All that night Heero had dreams of the piranha chasing after her then eating her slowly and painfully. Morning soon arrived and she awoke to find it staring at her. It's mouth was slightly open showing it's razor-sharp teeth.

'That thing gives me the creeps,' she thought as she got out of bed and went to take her shower. She got out and got dressed and looked around for her watch.

"DAMMIT! Where is it?!" she exclaimed.

"Where's what?" Duo asked looking up sleepily from his bed.

"My watch!" Heero said looking through the drawers in the bathroom.

"I think it's over by Fluffy's tank," Duo replied as he rubbed his eyes.

Heero left her search and walked over the dreaded piranha's tank. There was her watch right next to it. She picked it up and was about to put it on when woe and behold it fell into the tank.

"SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!" Heero exclaimed as she watched her favorite watch sink to the bottom.

"What now?!" Duo said as he got up to see what was going on.

"I dropped my watch in the tank!" Heero said not at all pleased with the current situation she now found herself in.

"Just reach in and get it. She won't bite," Duo said smiling at Heero's irritation.

"Easy for you to say," Heero mumbled. She rolled up her sleeve, took a deep breath, and proceeded to stick her left hand into the tank that held her worst nightmare. The piranha did not like having something invading its personal space especially when that something belonged to someone that didn't seem to like her. So she did what piranhas do best: she bit it.

"OOOOWWWWWW!!!" Heero yelped as she pulled her hand out of the tank. She examined it as her eyes started to tear up. There were several deep gashes that were bleeding freely.

"Heero! Are you ok?! Fluffy, that was uncalled for!!! Now apologize to Heero!" Duo said as he glared at the piranha. He then picked up Heero's hand to look at it more closely. "We need to get you to a hospital. These will probably need stitches."

"I thought you said it wouldn't bite?!" Heero exclaimed angrily as she found a towel to wrap her hand in.

"I didn't think she would!" Duo said as he hurriedly got dressed. He grabbed his keys and grabbed Heero's arm, dragging her all the way to his car. They drove in silence and reached the hospital in record time. Duo got out and then pulled Heero out and off towards the ER room. He pulled her up to the reception desk.

"My friend got bitten by a piranha, and the cuts are pretty deep," Duo said.

"Let me see," the woman behind the desk said. Duo pulled up Heero's bitten hand and removed the towel. The woman cringed before saying, "You're right; they are deep. You will probably need five or six stitches. Why don't you take a seat and fill these forms while you are waiting. It shouldn't be too long." She then handed Duo a clipboard and pointed towards the chairs in the corner.

The two went over and sat down on the very unconformable chairs. Duo filled out the forms by having Heero tell him the answers to the questions. Finally Heero's name was called. Duo and Heero went back, and Heero sat down on the bed showed to him. A minute later a doctor came him.

"Hi, I'm Dr. Carter. What seems to be the problem," the young doctor asked.

"My roommate's piranha bit me," Heero said as he showed the doctor her hand.

"A piranha?" Dr. Carter questioned as he took a closer look at Heero's hand. "You're going to need stitches." He then started to clean the cuts.

"Yeah, I won her at a festival a couple weeks ago. Heero accidentally dropped his watch in the tank, and when he went to get it she bit him. She was probably scared. Poor Fluffy," Duo said. Dr. Carter raised his eyebrows but didn't say anything. He finished cleaning out the cuts and proceeded to stitch Heero up.

"You're lucky you only needed five2 stitches," the doctor said when he was finished. "Now keep this clean to prevent infection. They can come out in a week or so. You're good to go."

"Thanks, Dr. Carter," Heero said.

"You're welcome," he replied before he left the cubicle. Heero and Duo then left the hospital.

"I'm sorry Fluffy bit you," Duo said once they got back to their dorm.

"It's ok. Thanks for driving me to the hospital," Heero replied.

"No problem. What are friends for?" Duo replied.

Later that day Heero made an excuse and left the dorms. She headed over to Meiran's dorm. On her way she picked up her dress and stopped to buy some gloves. When she got there Meiran had just slipped into her dress. The dress was red with spaghetti straps and flowed smoothly to the ground. What was truly amazing about it was the Chinese dragon designed out of gold gems.

"What do you think?" Meiran asked as she turned around showing the dress off.

"It's incredible!" Heero exclaimed as she set her dress and gloves down on the bed. "Wufei will hit the floor when he sees you!"

"Thanks," Meiran said. She then noticed Heero's stitched hand. "What happened?!"

"The piranha bit me," Heero replied holding up her right hand. "I had to get five stitches!"

"Ouch! Are you ok?" Meiran said cringing.

"Yeah, I'll live," she replied.

"If you say so. Hey, you should put on your dress. It's getting late."

"Ok." Heero slipped into the bathroom and put it on. She emerged a few minutes later. She was wearing a black full length dress with a full skirt. It had spaghetti straps with a classical neckline3.

"Wow!" was all Meiran could say.

"Do you like it?" Heero asked.

"Do I like it? I love it!" Meiran said.

"Thanks. Now for the finishing touch," Heero said as she pulled on a pair of black gloves that ended at her wrist. "Duo will never know." The two finished getting ready. They did their hair and makeup and were ready to go. The two headed off for the hall. Wufei was there waiting so he and Meiran headed into the hall.

Heero waited patiently for Duo to arrive. He arrived about ten minutes later. Duo was wearing a classic black tuxedo with a black tie.

"Hey, Heather. You look amazing!" Duo said as he swept her into his arms and kissed her.

"Thank you. You look amazing yourself," Heero replied smiling.

"Shall we go in then?" Duo asked.

"Of course," Heero replied. They entered the dance hall although it was more like a ballroom. Heero gasped in awe. It was huge! There were many crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The walls were gilded with gold cherubs and other beautiful creatures. Overall it had a very romantic air about it.

"It's beautiful!" Heero exclaimed looking around with her eyes opened wide.

"Not half as beautiful as you are," Duo said looking at the girl he loved.

"Look, everyone is over there," Heero said as she pulled Duo over to their group of friends.

"Hey guys," Heero and Duo said as they reached the others.

"Hey," everyone else replied. Everyone was there: Meiran and Wufei, Quatre and Stephanie, and a new couple she had never seen before.

Stephanie was wearing a dark blue strapless dress with silver gemstones along the bodice. Wufei and Quatre were both wearing black suits with gray and blue ties respectively.

The girl had slightly curly, dark brown hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a long, black flowing dress. The dress was sleeveless and had a dipping back line. The guy, most likely her boyfriend, had short brown hair and green-gray eyes. He was wearing a black suit with a blue-gray tie. But what was so interesting about him was the scar that ran across his forehead and down by his eye.

"These are my good friends, Elizabeth and Squall," Meiran gestured to the couple standing beside her.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Heather," Heero said.

"And I'm Duo."

"Hello," the two replied. Slowly the couples broke up and headed towards the dance floor.

"May I have this dance, beautiful lady," Duo asked as he held out his hand to Heero.

"It would be my pleasure, sir," Heero said as she placed her hand into his. Duo pulled her out onto the dance floor. They danced many dances before Duo asked her a question she dreaded answering.

"Can't you take off your gloves?" Duo asked.

"No, I can't. I'm sorry," Heero replied. Before she could do anything, Duo had grabbed her hands and slipped off her gloves.

"What the hell?!" Duo exclaimed looking at Heero's stitched up hand. "What's the meaning of this?! You've been playing me the entire time, haven't you?!" he exclaimed. People had stopped what they were doing to watch the couple.

"No, Duo, it's not what you think!!" Heero tried to say, her eyes watering up.

"How dare you! And to think I loved you! Aren't you supposed to be able to trust the one you love?!" Duo yelled his own eyes watering slightly. Heero could see the pure and utter sadness and helplessness in his eyes. Duo then stormed out of the hall.

"Duo, wait!! Let me explain!!" Heero called out after him. She now had tears running freely down her cheeks. Seeing that he wasn't going to listen, she ran off in the opposite direction of the man she loved.

Heero walked down the street in a daze. Everything...was over. Duo hated her, and would most likely get her kicked out of school, not that she could really blame him. She looked up and realized she had entered a park. Sitting down on a nearby bench, Heero finally surrendered to the tears that had been stinging her eyes since she had left the hall.

"Well, if it isn't Heero Yuy!" a familiar voice exclaimed. Heero wiped her face and looked up.

"Ryu...Ryuuen?!" Heero said, eyes widening. The violet-haired boy laughed.

"The one and only!" Heero hugged her old friend.

"Ryuuen! I haven't seen you for so long!" Ryuuen laughed.

"You were the last person I expected to run into, Heero. But how have you been? I'm going to go out on a limb here and say not good," Ryuuen said, looking at Heero with sympathy. Heero sighed.

"I masqueraded as a boy and fell in love with my roommate. To top it all off, I pretended to be my 'twin' and he fell in love with me." Ryuuen looked at her confused.

"Well then, what's the problem? If you two love each other..." he trailed off. Heero sighed.

"It's not that simple, Ryuu-chan," she murmured, reverting to an old childhood nickname. "He found out, and he hates me now." Ryuuen pulled her into a hug.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry that something like that had to happen to you... I never thought I'd see the day when Heero Yuy would cross dress," he teased, attempting to lighten the mood. Heero grinned.

"And I never thought I'd see the day you stopped. What changed?" Heero replied curiously. Ryuuen sighed, then looked up at the stars.

"I buried Kourin," he said simply. "My sister is dead. There's nothing I can do to change it, not even trying to be her. I guess... I guess I just finally accepted it. Although," he said, shaking his head, "Ten years is a pretty long time to be in denial, ne?" he said, winking at Heero. Heero smiled weakly.

"Yeah, I guess..." she trailed off. Ryuuen looked at her worriedly.

"Heero, you have to patch things up with him. If you love him, and I can tell you do... you owe it to the both of you to get everything out in the open," Ryuen murmured, stroking his friend's hair gently. Heero shook her head.

"No, Ryuuen, I'm sorry, but... I can't see that look in his eyes again. I just can't do it. I'm sorry. Maybe I should but... not now." Ryuuen looked at her sadly, then nodded, defeated.

"If you think it's for the best. Want me to walk with you back home?" Heero paused, then shook her head once more.

"I don't want to see him... Can you walk me to my cousin's?" Heero asked hopefully. Ryuuen nodded.

"Of course! What are friends for?" They stood up, and headed down the street in silence.

AN: Before you flame us just think, we could have made it worse.

1. The passionate kiss lasted for more than five seconds. (Miyo: I just had to put that! ^_^)
2. You could also substitute the number six in here. (Miyo: If only I had won...)
3. If you want to know what Heero's dress looks like go here: (Just imagine it in black)

Well hope you liked it and don't forget to reveiw! *waves* BYE!