Sorry for the long wait, but I'm was busy with projects, final, culmination, and signing up for high school classes. Not to mention that I have a piano recital on the twentieth. Even in middle school, your teachers pile homework on you constantly!

As for testing, I think I screwed my Geometry section. Umm…anyone know the ratio between the surface area and volume of a sphere? I got 3/r. Damn it. I thought California had bad schools or something. Thank God colleges don't look at records before high school or I'm screwed cause I think I failed my state math standards.

Now to our feature presentation, chapter 4 of Shadows of the Rising Sun!!!

§§§§§

Chapter 4

Winds Rising

Quatre's POV

It's so strange to have a free afternoon. It's been a week since I've last seen the two Confederate soldiers that Duo rescued and I treated. Nowadays, it seems that my life has been reduced to taking care of the Union soldiers who are too badly wounded to move on with the rest of their regiment. It makes me feel so sad to see these men damaged beyond repair. Some have sacrificed a limb or two, while others sacrificed their lives for this war, for their leaders, and for their own beliefs. Blood…so much of it. Oh, how Mother Gaia must be crying at the sight of brother killing brother, father killing son, and the people of one nation slaughtering each other.

I cannot say that I totally approve of this war, but as a foreigner, I am only a spectator of the events.

§§§§§

"Checkmate."

It seems that Heero has won another game of chess against Duo. Heero is the epitome of the "perfect soldier." He is cool and collected, as well as a competent fighter physically and mentally. However, as cold as Heero may sometimes appear, it was only a mask he hid behind. It surprised me that Heero was actually quite shy and his way of making up for it was to hide behind his mask of coldness, but it seems that Duo's loquacious and exuberant nature was able to make Heero feel welcomed and comfortable.

"Ahh…Can't you go easy on me Heero, since I ain't too good at this game?"

"Hnnn…Maybe."

I can't help but break into a smile at the sight of those two tittering at each other. It seems like they were made for each other. Despite the fact that in this day and time love between two people of the same gender is widely feared and hated, I think that they would make a great couple. To me, it seems like they are already falling love and they don't even notice.

And then, there is Trowa. Trowa is a mysterious enigma, well not that mysterious. The only thing I know about him is that he is Heero's best and probably only friend. He hardly ever speaks. Sometimes his presence could be forgotten. I don't understand Trowa, I guess that's what fascinates me about him. Uhhh…I just sounded so superficial and shallow.

Of what I understand about Trowa, he only speaks when he deems it necessary and he doesn't trust people particularly easily. He is something totally different from the people I have met so far. I suppose that Trowa is kind of similar to Heero too, shy and gauche. I should also confess that I am absolutely infatuated with Trowa.

"Hey Quat, why don't you play some tunes on that ole' fiddle of yours?!"

"Umm…Sure. Is there anything in particular that you would like to hear?"

"How 'bout that jolly ole' song by that old guy called shoeman or somethin'?"

I couldn't help but smile at Duo's minor blunder. It is no mystery to me why [1] Robert Schumann's "The Happy Peasant" would appeal to Duo so much. The peasant whom the song characterizes is who Duo wants to be.

"Duo means "The Happy Peasant" by Robert Schumann," I stated to sate the inquiring looks that the two soldiers gave me.

I had a feeling that Duo was going to request a violin composition. I usually bring my violin with me on social visits to Duo. He always requests "The Happy Peasant," along with a few other songs.

I fondly brought out my [2] Hellier Stradivarius violin, given to me by my father when I left for Cambridge. I remember that day clearly. At the time, I was fourteen and eager to follow my ambitious dreams. Most boys my age would have gone to a children's school rather than a university. I was advanced for my age. My father the best tutors that he could hire, and I was eager to learn so I studied at every available moment that I had.

My belongings were all packed and stowed away on the carriage, and I was already seated inside the carriage, prepared for departure. Every member of the household, save my father, was outside, seeing me off. I was just about to give the driver the signal to leave when I heard my father calling out to me. He approached me carrying a slightly worn leather case. My father silently handed me the case and observed me as I opened to find the Hellier Stradivarius. He told me that it was an authentic Stradivarius hand made by Antonio Stradivari himself and had been my mother's violin. To say that I was surprised would have been a gross understatement. No, I was stunned speechless by this blessing and show of affection as well as apology from my father. I embraced my father warmly in an act of acceptance before I left. I could still recall my father calling out to me, telling me to visit during breaks, as the carriage bounced and rolled away.

I drew my bow across the four strings of the violin, E A D G, and proceeded to twitch the pegs to tune my violin accordingly. Once I was satisfied, I began to play the cheerful tune. The rich, shrill timbre of the notes emerged from the violin in harmony. For a moment, everyone in the room forgot that we were supposed to be enemies in a bitter civil war. We all felt the happiness and joy that the peasant experienced in his simple, but fulfilling life. When drew the final note from the violin, we all felt a horrible sense of loss from the warmth of the song. The wistfulness was obvious in the eyes of Duo, Trowa, as well as Heero.

It seems that we are all not so different after all. Each and every one of us present in the room at the moment dreams peace, happiness, and love. The song was reflection of our dreams. It seems strange that such a simple children's song can leave such a lasting memory in our minds, while majestic court sonatas are often overlooked in our memories. I suppose it is the feeling and image that Schumann's song conveys that makes it so much more influential. Alas….If only this war would end soon…

§§§§§

Notes:

[1] Also called "The Merry Peasant." This is one of my favorite tunes of all time.

[2] The best violins in the world that were made by Antonio Stradivari in the late 17th century. There are thousands of replicas, but real ones are hard to come buy and exceedingly expensive. A Hellier Stradivarius is a Stradivarius that has decorations on it. 

Author's Notes:

Once again, I'm sorry that this came out so late. I was having a story block in the middle of this chapter too, before my lil' sis inspired me with her violin playing and started teaching me how to play as well. I've got so many story plot ideas up in my head that it's driving me crazy as well.

Oh, I would just like to stare that I felt the South had a pretty valid reason for fighting and that it's wrong of some textbooks, such as my own, to antagonize them. To me there are no winners and losers in war, just victims.

Please Review!