Parts 13-16
The next day Itko didn't feel very well. "Mom," he said weakly when she appeared to wake him up. "I don't think I'm up to it." "Hmm," she pressed a hand to his forehead. "You're hot. You can stay home, if you're not feeling better by the time I get home I'll take you to the doctor."
Trowa and Duo looked around the school and couldn't find any trace of Itko. They were getting worried. They reported back to the others with the news, not caring about missing class. "Any ideas where he might be?" "Not a clue," Wufei sighed. Heero took charge as usual. "Trowa you know where he lives, why don't you go and check up on him?" He nodded. "We were supposed to met up and go swimming any way.."
Trowa headed to Itko's house as fast as he could, even without wings angels were very light. When he arrived there were no lights on or cars in the driveways. This doesn't look very good. He floated up the side of the house and snuck in through an open window. "Hello?" He called softly. "Trey..." he heard someone croak. He followed the sound into the living room where Itko was bundled up on the couch, a box of tissues at his side. "Itko!" he sxclaimed surprised, "What happened to you?" Itko raised one eyebrow wryly, Trowa flushed. "What does it look like? I caught a cold yesterday, I think." "Sorry man, I didn't realize you were so fragile," Trowa shot back. Itko glared at him, "Why are you here anyway?" "We had plans remember, so well," Trowa sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck, "I was worried about you." Itko smiled slightly.
And so as the day passes Trowa waited on the invalid. Duo popped in about halfway through, "Man we were getting worried! What happened?" "Itko's sick," he replied calmly. "So I'm taking care of him unitl his mom get's back." "Wah, Tro-chan that's so sweet!" Trowa glared at him.
A few hours later, Itko's mother showed up. Trowa met her at the door, she blinked in surprise. "Who are you?" "A friend of Itko's. When he didn't show up today I decided to come check on him." "That's awfully nice of you. I'm glad Itko has such good friends, won't you stay for dinner?" Trowa nodded. "By the way, the name's Trey." "A pleasure to met you Trey, you can call me Ms. Teyano. Is he any better?" "No," Trowa shook his head. "Oh drat," she said worriedly, "I made an appointment at the doctor's office just in case. Can you give an excuse to the teachers for him tomorrow and get his work?" "Of course," Trowa nodded.
The next morning Trowa calmly walked into the class and handed the teacher Itko's doctor excuse. "Thank you Tr-" The teacher cut himself short as Trowa just as colamly walked straight back out. "Wait a second, get back here!" She ran towards the door but he was already gone. Duo, in the back of the class sighed. He is going to ruin our cover acting like this, what's with him?
Trowa, hoever saw nothing wrong with simply walking out. It wasn't as if he hadn't had this class before, and he could benefit their purpose better elsewhere. With that thought in mind, and firmly repeating it was his only reason, he headed toward the doctor's office in town.
"Trey!" Ms. Teyano called out to him cheerfully. "Aren't you supposed to be in school?" she asked, mock-scoldingly. He smiled at her, "Some people think so." She smiled back. "Itko's in with the doctor right now. He said he was too old to have me holding his hand when he saw the doctor. I suppose he's right, but that doesn't make me feel any better."
"I'm sure he wasn't meaning any harm by it. He's not that kind of person." "True."
In the doctor's office, Itko was being examined. Unbeknownst to him, it wasn't only by the doctor. Heero and Wufei were watching as well. "Hmph, do you suppose he's going to go and die on us?" Heer shook his head, "He's not that sick. Although this could either help or hinder our mission. He won't be able to see anyone for quite some time." The doctor was re-affirming this, saying that Itko was very contagious. "I don't want anyone having contact with you except those that have already been exposed to your sickness." Itko nodded his head weakly. "I'm giving you some prescriptions that should help. Get plenty of rest and drink liquids. Don't over exert yourself, you're going to be weak for the next few weeks." Itko nodded again and thanked the doctor. "No trouble at all young man. Take care."
Ms. Teyano and Trowa then met up with Itko. While she was paying the bill, Itko asked Trowa why he was there. "I figured I was already infected so there was no need to spread it around school." Itko looked at him skeptically but accepted his explanation.
Ms. Teyano drove them back to her house. "Trey-kun, would you like to spend the night? I can call your parents if you wish. It's getting awfully late." (For those of you who say no, I say you've never tried to get in to see a doctor, it takes hours!) He nodded, "I would like that very much. But I'd just need to let my brother Harry know." She raised an eyebrow at this but agreed, "What your number?" Trowa gave her a faked up number and Heero zoomed to the phone (Angel style) to answer before whoever it really belonged to did. "Harry-san, I was wondering if you would let Trey stay the night? Itko's sick, but Trey's already been infected. It would keep the rest of your family from possible contamination and Itko won't drive me cazy." Heero-Harry replied, "I have no problems with that, just make sure he's asleep by midnight tonight." She agreed and they hang up.
Heero rubbed his hands in glee, Now only to find a way to get Wufei out of their hair. Heero had plans.
Heero and Wufei were involved in a whispered conversation. Duo snuck in closer to see what was going on? "So it's agreed." Wufei nodded. "I'll be at the park if you need me." Heero, "Very well," he hurried him away. "Heero, what was that all about?" Heero whirled around, "Oh Duo I didn't realize you were here yet." Duo's eyes narrowed. "Why, were you planning a rendezvous with Wufei?" Heero shook his head, "Of course not, why would I want him when I have you?" Duo practically melted.
Even after their death it wasn't often that Heero would be openly affectionate. Maybe running a hand down his braid or a caress on the cheek. But only in moments where he was sure no one was paying attention. It got on Duo's nerves but he understood. To lighten the moment he batted his lashes at Heero, "Did you ever know that you're my hero?" He slid an arm around Heero's neck.
Heero smiles slightly. It took a second but Duo caught on. "Hey we're all alone aren't we?" Heero's smile widened. "You set this up didn't you?" Duo accused. "Well, I can't take all the credit. Ms. Teyano called and asked if Trowa could spend the night. Then I gave Wufei something else to do. I was hoping you wouldn't be home until later, I didn't have everything set up yet." "Everything-," Duo started as Heero picked him up and took him into the kitchen where a candlelit dinner awaited them. Duo's eyes rolled back into his head in shock. Heero laughed softly to himself and started trying to wake Duo up.
Wufei was walking down the pathway besides the lake. Now what to do until it's safe to go back? He had no wish to walk in on Heero's and Duo's private time. Privately he found the two's relationship very sweet, but he would never tell them so. That would make Duo lose one of his favorite sources of amusements, trying to make my nose bleed, he thought wryly. The sun was just starting to set showering the lake in a bright orange light. He had rarely taken the time to appreciate a sunset while he was alive, he had always been too busy. He set down in a bench, the park was almost deserted now, with everyone going home to their families. It'd be nice to have someone to go home to. Startled by this turn of thought he narrowed his eyes, I am not weak.
It wasn't long before the temperature started to turn cold, Wufei was contemplating fading out when Sakura jogged up. "Willy!" she called. "What are you doing out so late? You're going to make yourself sick." "I can take care of myself, woman." His eyes narrowed. Sakura glared right back. "Well you're certainly not doing a good job of it." He had no answer to that. "Come on, let's go back to my place, at least then we can argue in warmth." Wufei found himself nodding.
Trowa was sitting on the edge of Itko's bed. "So let me get this straight, you handed the teacher my excuse and just walked out?" His eyes were round in amazement. Trowa shrugged, "I didn't think there was any point in staying. You weren't there." He then flushed as he realized how that sounded. "That's so sweet," Itko grinned up at him and winked. "I'll remember it when I need a date for the prom." Trowa grabbed a pillow and started trying to smother him. They were both laughing.
Sakura unlocked the door and let herself and Wufei in. "I'll go get us something to drink.." She disappeared into the kitchen. Wufei looked around the living room. It looked inviting and warm, like Sakura herself. There were several pictures lining the walls, he walked over to take a closer look. There was one of her and someone who looked enough like her to be her twin. The second was a picture of her and Itko holding a trophy of some sort. Both were smiling. The third was obviously a family portrait. Before he could look at the others Sakura returned. "Yes that's my family." "Where are they now?" Wufei asked looking around. "It looks like you're living by yourself." "I am, in my family when you turn 16, it's time to take responsibility for yourself. I guess because there's so many of us we wouldn't survive otherwise." "Do you still keep in touch?" "Oh yes, you remember Cherise? Well she's my cousin. We're scattered all over but we're still a family." Wufei nodded in understanding.
Itko awoke in the middle of the night. "Trey?" He called softly. There was no answer. He threw the covers off and headed for the guest bedroom, where Trey was staying. He walked softly into the room and turned on the lamp on the nightstand. There was no one there. "Trey!" he called a bit more urgently.
Trowa, who had dissolved from being physical, had snuck into the school and was checking up on the nearest social events. The Sadie Hawkins dance was coming up soon, if there was ever a chance of Itko's heart being broken this was it. For at a Sadie Hawkins dance, the girls asked the guys, instead of the other way around. The idea was becoming outdated as other ideals were becoming more modern and girls were taking the initiative a lot these days. What's probably going to happen is the girl he has his eye on is going to ask someone else to the dance... He'd like to compare notes with the others but he wasn't stupid enough to hunt up Duo and Heero in the middle of the night. Wufei on the other hand...
He extended the psychic sense, he as all angels had, that would tell them were others of their kind were. He followed the tone that was Wufei and when he saw where it led he was rather surprised. Sakura's house? He was about to go there when on the faintest whispering of wind he heard, "Trey?" That must mean Itko was back. He skipped out of school, past the locks and re-appeared in the the bathroom at the Teyano's. He walked out and yawned. It had been a long night after all.
Itko was starting to get a little worried. He couldn't find Trey anywhere and what was he doing up at this time of night anyway? He didn't want to shout for fear of waking his mother, who would send him straight back to bed. He sighed and flopped down on Trey's bed. Just then Trey walked in. "Itko?" he blinked sleepily. "What are you doing up?" Now that he was asked, Itko was hard-out as to finding a reason why. Maybe it had just been a flash of premonition. "I couldn't sleep and I didn't want to wake my mother." "What's wrong?" Trey asked concerned. He sighed and ran a hand tiredly through his hair. "I don't know, I just feel I dunno restless."
Wufei was firmly ensconced on Sakura's couch with a glass of cocoa in his hand. Sakura was sitting on the floor next to him. She had a picture album out and was flipping through the pages occasionally making comments. Then she looked up, "I must be boring you. I'm sure you're rather tired." Wufei shook his head. "You're not boring me. It's rather interesting." Indeed it was, he had lost most of his family before he died, and it was nice to know that somewhere there were still families held tight by the bonds of love and blood. He told her so. She threw back her head and laughed, "Well that and blackmail." He joined in her laughter. Wufei noticed she was getting tired though. He leaned over and closed the album. "I may not be asleep on my feet but you are. Please don't stay up on my account. You have my word I won't disturb you while you're asleep." She smiled at him sleepily, "Thanks, it's not that I think you would, it's just.."she shrugged, "you can never be too careful these days." He laughed softly. Then he picked her up. "Woah!" she said becoming wide-eyed. "I'm taking you to bed. I wouldn't trust you not to walk into the wall." She gave up without a struggle and let him put her to bed. Which was just as well because she was asleep before he reached it. He pulled the covers over her and shook his head sadly. "I rather wish I had known you while I was still among the living."
Heero waited until Duo's breathing had evened out and became rythmic, a sure sign the other boy was asleep. He turned on his side to admire the slumbering figure beside him. He had to admit he had been a bit surprised when Duo had decided to become a Guardian Angel, but there had never been any question as to him leaving Duo. Whereever he went, so would he. He still had a lot to learn about living, even now after death, and Duo was the person he wanted to teach him. He had never known anyone else with the sort of vibrancy he had, the go-get-em attitude that usually took a person far in life. Or cut their lives short. They were the kind who took risks, and those risks didn't always work out. But as Duo had once told him, it had been a standard joke at the time, there had been a man who had never done anything out of the ordinary, he had always been to work on time and home. When he died and it came time for the insurance money, they company sent out a letter stating that since he had never really lived, he hadn't really died either. At the time he hadn't quite understood the joke. He did now...
The clock chimed midnight.....And all was well.
Allo again, sorry for my way long absence. The disk I had holding all my fics caught a virus so I can't use it anymore. I'll try to get back on track with this story and The Morning After. Thanks for all the reviews!
The next day Itko didn't feel very well. "Mom," he said weakly when she appeared to wake him up. "I don't think I'm up to it." "Hmm," she pressed a hand to his forehead. "You're hot. You can stay home, if you're not feeling better by the time I get home I'll take you to the doctor."
Trowa and Duo looked around the school and couldn't find any trace of Itko. They were getting worried. They reported back to the others with the news, not caring about missing class. "Any ideas where he might be?" "Not a clue," Wufei sighed. Heero took charge as usual. "Trowa you know where he lives, why don't you go and check up on him?" He nodded. "We were supposed to met up and go swimming any way.."
Trowa headed to Itko's house as fast as he could, even without wings angels were very light. When he arrived there were no lights on or cars in the driveways. This doesn't look very good. He floated up the side of the house and snuck in through an open window. "Hello?" He called softly. "Trey..." he heard someone croak. He followed the sound into the living room where Itko was bundled up on the couch, a box of tissues at his side. "Itko!" he sxclaimed surprised, "What happened to you?" Itko raised one eyebrow wryly, Trowa flushed. "What does it look like? I caught a cold yesterday, I think." "Sorry man, I didn't realize you were so fragile," Trowa shot back. Itko glared at him, "Why are you here anyway?" "We had plans remember, so well," Trowa sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck, "I was worried about you." Itko smiled slightly.
And so as the day passes Trowa waited on the invalid. Duo popped in about halfway through, "Man we were getting worried! What happened?" "Itko's sick," he replied calmly. "So I'm taking care of him unitl his mom get's back." "Wah, Tro-chan that's so sweet!" Trowa glared at him.
A few hours later, Itko's mother showed up. Trowa met her at the door, she blinked in surprise. "Who are you?" "A friend of Itko's. When he didn't show up today I decided to come check on him." "That's awfully nice of you. I'm glad Itko has such good friends, won't you stay for dinner?" Trowa nodded. "By the way, the name's Trey." "A pleasure to met you Trey, you can call me Ms. Teyano. Is he any better?" "No," Trowa shook his head. "Oh drat," she said worriedly, "I made an appointment at the doctor's office just in case. Can you give an excuse to the teachers for him tomorrow and get his work?" "Of course," Trowa nodded.
The next morning Trowa calmly walked into the class and handed the teacher Itko's doctor excuse. "Thank you Tr-" The teacher cut himself short as Trowa just as colamly walked straight back out. "Wait a second, get back here!" She ran towards the door but he was already gone. Duo, in the back of the class sighed. He is going to ruin our cover acting like this, what's with him?
Trowa, hoever saw nothing wrong with simply walking out. It wasn't as if he hadn't had this class before, and he could benefit their purpose better elsewhere. With that thought in mind, and firmly repeating it was his only reason, he headed toward the doctor's office in town.
"Trey!" Ms. Teyano called out to him cheerfully. "Aren't you supposed to be in school?" she asked, mock-scoldingly. He smiled at her, "Some people think so." She smiled back. "Itko's in with the doctor right now. He said he was too old to have me holding his hand when he saw the doctor. I suppose he's right, but that doesn't make me feel any better."
"I'm sure he wasn't meaning any harm by it. He's not that kind of person." "True."
In the doctor's office, Itko was being examined. Unbeknownst to him, it wasn't only by the doctor. Heero and Wufei were watching as well. "Hmph, do you suppose he's going to go and die on us?" Heer shook his head, "He's not that sick. Although this could either help or hinder our mission. He won't be able to see anyone for quite some time." The doctor was re-affirming this, saying that Itko was very contagious. "I don't want anyone having contact with you except those that have already been exposed to your sickness." Itko nodded his head weakly. "I'm giving you some prescriptions that should help. Get plenty of rest and drink liquids. Don't over exert yourself, you're going to be weak for the next few weeks." Itko nodded again and thanked the doctor. "No trouble at all young man. Take care."
Ms. Teyano and Trowa then met up with Itko. While she was paying the bill, Itko asked Trowa why he was there. "I figured I was already infected so there was no need to spread it around school." Itko looked at him skeptically but accepted his explanation.
Ms. Teyano drove them back to her house. "Trey-kun, would you like to spend the night? I can call your parents if you wish. It's getting awfully late." (For those of you who say no, I say you've never tried to get in to see a doctor, it takes hours!) He nodded, "I would like that very much. But I'd just need to let my brother Harry know." She raised an eyebrow at this but agreed, "What your number?" Trowa gave her a faked up number and Heero zoomed to the phone (Angel style) to answer before whoever it really belonged to did. "Harry-san, I was wondering if you would let Trey stay the night? Itko's sick, but Trey's already been infected. It would keep the rest of your family from possible contamination and Itko won't drive me cazy." Heero-Harry replied, "I have no problems with that, just make sure he's asleep by midnight tonight." She agreed and they hang up.
Heero rubbed his hands in glee, Now only to find a way to get Wufei out of their hair. Heero had plans.
Heero and Wufei were involved in a whispered conversation. Duo snuck in closer to see what was going on? "So it's agreed." Wufei nodded. "I'll be at the park if you need me." Heero, "Very well," he hurried him away. "Heero, what was that all about?" Heero whirled around, "Oh Duo I didn't realize you were here yet." Duo's eyes narrowed. "Why, were you planning a rendezvous with Wufei?" Heero shook his head, "Of course not, why would I want him when I have you?" Duo practically melted.
Even after their death it wasn't often that Heero would be openly affectionate. Maybe running a hand down his braid or a caress on the cheek. But only in moments where he was sure no one was paying attention. It got on Duo's nerves but he understood. To lighten the moment he batted his lashes at Heero, "Did you ever know that you're my hero?" He slid an arm around Heero's neck.
Heero smiles slightly. It took a second but Duo caught on. "Hey we're all alone aren't we?" Heero's smile widened. "You set this up didn't you?" Duo accused. "Well, I can't take all the credit. Ms. Teyano called and asked if Trowa could spend the night. Then I gave Wufei something else to do. I was hoping you wouldn't be home until later, I didn't have everything set up yet." "Everything-," Duo started as Heero picked him up and took him into the kitchen where a candlelit dinner awaited them. Duo's eyes rolled back into his head in shock. Heero laughed softly to himself and started trying to wake Duo up.
Wufei was walking down the pathway besides the lake. Now what to do until it's safe to go back? He had no wish to walk in on Heero's and Duo's private time. Privately he found the two's relationship very sweet, but he would never tell them so. That would make Duo lose one of his favorite sources of amusements, trying to make my nose bleed, he thought wryly. The sun was just starting to set showering the lake in a bright orange light. He had rarely taken the time to appreciate a sunset while he was alive, he had always been too busy. He set down in a bench, the park was almost deserted now, with everyone going home to their families. It'd be nice to have someone to go home to. Startled by this turn of thought he narrowed his eyes, I am not weak.
It wasn't long before the temperature started to turn cold, Wufei was contemplating fading out when Sakura jogged up. "Willy!" she called. "What are you doing out so late? You're going to make yourself sick." "I can take care of myself, woman." His eyes narrowed. Sakura glared right back. "Well you're certainly not doing a good job of it." He had no answer to that. "Come on, let's go back to my place, at least then we can argue in warmth." Wufei found himself nodding.
Trowa was sitting on the edge of Itko's bed. "So let me get this straight, you handed the teacher my excuse and just walked out?" His eyes were round in amazement. Trowa shrugged, "I didn't think there was any point in staying. You weren't there." He then flushed as he realized how that sounded. "That's so sweet," Itko grinned up at him and winked. "I'll remember it when I need a date for the prom." Trowa grabbed a pillow and started trying to smother him. They were both laughing.
Sakura unlocked the door and let herself and Wufei in. "I'll go get us something to drink.." She disappeared into the kitchen. Wufei looked around the living room. It looked inviting and warm, like Sakura herself. There were several pictures lining the walls, he walked over to take a closer look. There was one of her and someone who looked enough like her to be her twin. The second was a picture of her and Itko holding a trophy of some sort. Both were smiling. The third was obviously a family portrait. Before he could look at the others Sakura returned. "Yes that's my family." "Where are they now?" Wufei asked looking around. "It looks like you're living by yourself." "I am, in my family when you turn 16, it's time to take responsibility for yourself. I guess because there's so many of us we wouldn't survive otherwise." "Do you still keep in touch?" "Oh yes, you remember Cherise? Well she's my cousin. We're scattered all over but we're still a family." Wufei nodded in understanding.
Itko awoke in the middle of the night. "Trey?" He called softly. There was no answer. He threw the covers off and headed for the guest bedroom, where Trey was staying. He walked softly into the room and turned on the lamp on the nightstand. There was no one there. "Trey!" he called a bit more urgently.
Trowa, who had dissolved from being physical, had snuck into the school and was checking up on the nearest social events. The Sadie Hawkins dance was coming up soon, if there was ever a chance of Itko's heart being broken this was it. For at a Sadie Hawkins dance, the girls asked the guys, instead of the other way around. The idea was becoming outdated as other ideals were becoming more modern and girls were taking the initiative a lot these days. What's probably going to happen is the girl he has his eye on is going to ask someone else to the dance... He'd like to compare notes with the others but he wasn't stupid enough to hunt up Duo and Heero in the middle of the night. Wufei on the other hand...
He extended the psychic sense, he as all angels had, that would tell them were others of their kind were. He followed the tone that was Wufei and when he saw where it led he was rather surprised. Sakura's house? He was about to go there when on the faintest whispering of wind he heard, "Trey?" That must mean Itko was back. He skipped out of school, past the locks and re-appeared in the the bathroom at the Teyano's. He walked out and yawned. It had been a long night after all.
Itko was starting to get a little worried. He couldn't find Trey anywhere and what was he doing up at this time of night anyway? He didn't want to shout for fear of waking his mother, who would send him straight back to bed. He sighed and flopped down on Trey's bed. Just then Trey walked in. "Itko?" he blinked sleepily. "What are you doing up?" Now that he was asked, Itko was hard-out as to finding a reason why. Maybe it had just been a flash of premonition. "I couldn't sleep and I didn't want to wake my mother." "What's wrong?" Trey asked concerned. He sighed and ran a hand tiredly through his hair. "I don't know, I just feel I dunno restless."
Wufei was firmly ensconced on Sakura's couch with a glass of cocoa in his hand. Sakura was sitting on the floor next to him. She had a picture album out and was flipping through the pages occasionally making comments. Then she looked up, "I must be boring you. I'm sure you're rather tired." Wufei shook his head. "You're not boring me. It's rather interesting." Indeed it was, he had lost most of his family before he died, and it was nice to know that somewhere there were still families held tight by the bonds of love and blood. He told her so. She threw back her head and laughed, "Well that and blackmail." He joined in her laughter. Wufei noticed she was getting tired though. He leaned over and closed the album. "I may not be asleep on my feet but you are. Please don't stay up on my account. You have my word I won't disturb you while you're asleep." She smiled at him sleepily, "Thanks, it's not that I think you would, it's just.."she shrugged, "you can never be too careful these days." He laughed softly. Then he picked her up. "Woah!" she said becoming wide-eyed. "I'm taking you to bed. I wouldn't trust you not to walk into the wall." She gave up without a struggle and let him put her to bed. Which was just as well because she was asleep before he reached it. He pulled the covers over her and shook his head sadly. "I rather wish I had known you while I was still among the living."
Heero waited until Duo's breathing had evened out and became rythmic, a sure sign the other boy was asleep. He turned on his side to admire the slumbering figure beside him. He had to admit he had been a bit surprised when Duo had decided to become a Guardian Angel, but there had never been any question as to him leaving Duo. Whereever he went, so would he. He still had a lot to learn about living, even now after death, and Duo was the person he wanted to teach him. He had never known anyone else with the sort of vibrancy he had, the go-get-em attitude that usually took a person far in life. Or cut their lives short. They were the kind who took risks, and those risks didn't always work out. But as Duo had once told him, it had been a standard joke at the time, there had been a man who had never done anything out of the ordinary, he had always been to work on time and home. When he died and it came time for the insurance money, they company sent out a letter stating that since he had never really lived, he hadn't really died either. At the time he hadn't quite understood the joke. He did now...
The clock chimed midnight.....And all was well.
Allo again, sorry for my way long absence. The disk I had holding all my fics caught a virus so I can't use it anymore. I'll try to get back on track with this story and The Morning After. Thanks for all the reviews!