Hey everyone! I'm baaacckkk! Sorry it took a while to update this. But I promise I'll be posting the new chapters soon. Before going on to the story, I'd like to thank these people first Jewels14- thanks for liking the story. Here's the update you want. I'm in lala land!- I love Mina/Trowa fics, too! Hehehe… Summer Firefly- hehehe..thanks. I hope you'll continue to like it. Alitheria- don't worry, I'll be continuing this. Mari- I'm writing more! ^_^ thanks for the review. Jade Stellar- don't worry, you'll be seeing more of me. Aphrodite- yes, another Minako fic. I am obsessed, you know. Angelofvenus_13- don't worry, I won't be turning back. Allyna- I love Mina and Trowa, too. No, don't worry. You don't sound annoying at all. I'll keep on updating. Ashleigh-Kaiba- I'm so thankful you're supporting me. ^_^ thanks loads! Sadie Joyce Myst Lady- I promise, I'll continue. Thanks!
Now, on to the fic!
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CHAPTER 2 Just an Explanation
"Trowa."
His fist stayed in mid air as he stood face to face with the girl he was eager to see. He slowly dropped his hand and they stared at each other as if disbelieving that each person was there.
Rei gasped and broke the ice. "Oh my gosh, Trowa! You're here." Trowa snapped out of his dead to the world state and looked at the four girls standing in surprise behind Minako. He chose to ignore the flabbergasted statement and turned back to Minako. This time she finally composed herself and was smiling at him but not as joyous as he thought she would be.
"You're back," she said. "I'm going to buy some ice cream but you could come inside and wait if you want." Makoto scampered towards Mina and pushed her outside. "Why don't you two go together? I'm sure you've got a lot of catching up to do," and with that, she closed the door leaving two startled teens. Trowa's mind was racing but before he could start a conversation, Minako walked away saying, "We better go fast. I don't think Usagi can hold her hunger for long."
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The two walked their way to the convenience store side by side in silence. Every now and then Trowa would cast a brief look at her, hoping to get a good start with their talk. But Mina refused to look at him and just continued walking. Neither of them said a word until they got to the store. Mina opened the refrigerator door and pulled out a Cookies and Cream ice cream. "Still your favorite?" Trowa finally said. Minako quickly put the can down and reached for Chocolate Marble instead. "Nope," she answered quietly. "It's Chocolate Marble now." She headed straight to the cashier with Trowa right behind her. He stopped her when she was pulling out her money, his hands gently restraining hers. The light pressure of his touch made her look at him in surprise. "I'll pay," he told her, then took out his wallet and paid the cashier.
The walk back to her apartment wasn't as quiet as before. "It's been a long time, Mina. I was worried that you wouldn't know me," Trowa spoke up. "Of course I still remember you," she said haughtily, still avoiding to glance his way. "I mean, after ONLY three years who could forget about you, right?" Trowa groaned and spun around to face her. "Mina, I think we should talk." The girl just stared at him blandly but allowed him to continue. "I…I'm sorry," he started. "You should be," she muttered under her breath. "No, really I am," he said. "I know I should've told you that I was going away instead of…"
"Instead of disappearing for three years like it was no big deal?" she cut-off. She couldn't stand it. She had to release three years' worth of pent up frustration built inside her. "Not one phone call, Barton. Not one just to say 'hi' or 'how's it going' to your girlfriend. Oh, let me rephrase that…EXgirlfriend."
"I wanted to, Mina. I really did," he defended. "But the situation didn't allow me. Did you think it was ok for me to leave without a proper good bye? Or to stay confined to that hell camp with all those training exercises for a year then to two years' nonstop battle without thinking of you, wanting to see you again? Hell, it wasn't easy, lady!" He was panting after that and he slowly realized how much information he unveiled.
"Training? Battle? Trowa, just where were you for the past three years?" Minako said in disbelief. When he refused to talk, she clutched on to his sleeve and made him look at her. "Trowa, look at me. What did you do during those years?" He looked around suspiciously and held her arm. "This is neither the time nor place to discuss that." He started to walk but Mina stopped him. "And when and where will the appropriate time and place be, huh, Trowa?" she called, anger filling her voice. "Tomorrow? When everyone knows you've come back? How about next month during the start of a class? Or maybe next year when you're supposed to vanish again without a trace? Tell me, Trowa. When?"
"When you're finally calm and collected," he answered smoothly but forcefully. He gripped her arm and practically dragged her to her apartment.
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The door opened with a loud THUD and the four girls stopped their chitchat automatically. They looked at the two who walked past them unceremoniously as if they were the only people in the room. Ami quickly went to the door and closed it, her face full of worry. Just then, Trowa released Minako's arm and went off to the kitchen, the ice cream at hand. Minako was fuming mad when he came back but Trowa just said, "Ice cream is in the fridge," to the other four girls. "Umm…yeah," stuttered Makoto as she and the others collected their bags. "That's great and all but it's getting late so…I guess we'll be leaving," and the four went off without another word.
"Oh, great!" cried Mina as she plopped on the sofa, her hands emphasized her dissatisfaction. "Now you've done it! You scared away all of my friends! Do you think you could scare yourself away, too?"
He sat on the same sofa and faced her. "Mina, you have to listen completely to what I have to say. But after this conversation, you have got to keep it all to yourself, understand?" He said it with such resolution that it didn't occur to her to disobey him. When all was appropriate he continued on not, taking his yes off Mina. "I…I'm a Gundam pilot," he said at last.
"A what?"
"A Gundam pilot," he repeated. "They are very special machines that only very few could operate. We need exceptional training just to control and be able to hold up to its mechanism. Hell camp wasn't named so for no reason at all, trust me. Not one second was spared all throughout he year. After that, we had to endure two years of fierce battle with other mobile suits from Oz and we were on alert day and night. Today is the first time I've felt that my hardships have finally paid out."
Minako didn't know whether to laugh at him for his explanation or to cry for him out of worry. "Are you trying to tell a joke? Because right now, I'm telling you it's not very funny," she said and stood up to go to the kitchen for coffee.
"It's all real, Mina," he answered quietly. All of a sudden, Minako's knees unbuckled and she started to collapse. Trowa ran to her and caught her faint body just before she hit the floor. She heard him say her name but suddenly, everything turned black.
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So, how was it? Kinda long, huh? And kinda lame. Don't worry, things will get better…I hope. LOL! Just kidding! ^_^ please don't forget to review. I love hearing from you guys. If you have any suggestions for the story and any comments on my writing please don't hesitate to tell me. Thanks a lot! ----jd_anney