Author: aomurasakiai
Warnings: Cross dressing, Shounen ai, Fluff, Sap, Angst, AU, OOC-ness
Pairings: 1+2+1
Spoilers: None
Rating: PG-13
*Everything above may be subject to change*
Illusions (5/?)
Heero landed safely on a cloud drifting over Japan and immediately changed back
into his guardian angel attire, lest someone like Lady Une see him. He hid all of his newly bought books between
the layers of the cloud and brought his Vigil Sphere out. Unknowingly a smile crept across his lips as
Heero saw Duo's laughing face. He was
practically skipping home and subconsciously the guardian angel wondered what
it would be like to run with him.
Shaking his head to rid it of such nonsense thoughts, he let the Vigil
Sphere show him what has been happening around Japan. Nothing, like usual. The
Japanese angel sat back as the floating sphere dissipated before him. He now realized just how dull a guardian's
life was compared to a human's. He felt
oddly refreshed just being able to walk around rather than just lounge on a
cloud all day long.
Hours passed and Heero was growing weary. He gave in and worked on the homework that had been assigned that day but finished fairly quickly since he knew the concepts. Falling back on the soft surface he stared up at the stars sparkling in the night sky.
//No matter. I get to go back tomorrow,// he thought to himself and he closed his eyes, intent on resting.
~*~*~
Duo ran across the street, holding onto his umbrella in a death grip. He carefully avoided the puddles on the sidewalk, cursing the sky for raining *today* of all days. He just wanted to walk to school with Aiko. Was that too much to ask?!
"God hates me," he mumbled to himself as he neared the street corner where he was suppose to meet Aiko. As expected she wasn't there. He slowed to a walk, trying to catch his breath while continuing to curse the rain. Glancing almost sadly at the empty spot, he hoped that he could walk with Aiko tomorrow.
"I'll ask her today," Duo said, a grin forming on his face. "Or maybe even walk her home." Feeling better he picked up his pace and strode down the sidewalk, passing the bookstore where he and Aiko had spent time together the day before trying to locate her books. He chuckled to himself as he remembered yesterday; he realized that he liked being with Aiko… Maybe he *was* gay but just only attracted to her. Duo nodded to himself. Whatever he may be, he definitely liked Aiko.
"Duo-kun!" The braided teen turned around at the call of his name and felt his heart leapt into his throat. Aiko was standing in the doorway of the bookstore. Quickly snapping out of his dreams, Duo ran to the other.
"Aiko-san…" he whispered in disbelief.
"I was waiting when it started to rain so I took shelter here," Heero explained. Truth be told he had considered to just going ahead to school but he didn't want to go back on his word. But when he saw the smile on the human's face it made him realize the true reason why he'd stayed.
"I'm really glad you waited, Aiko-san. Did you wait long?" Duo asked, holding up the umbrella for the disguised guardian angel. Heero shook his head and stepped under the protective covering against the rain. Walking towards the school the rain steadily grew heavier and Heero realized that Duo was covering him more than himself. The American's entire left side was getting wet. Without thinking, he lightly placed his hand on Duo's that was holding onto the umbrella and pushed it over a bit. The other glanced at him and smiled; almost shyly.
"Daijoubu Aiko-san. I don't want you to get wet and fall sick," Duo said, moving the umbrella to cover Heero again. The Japanese was taken aback at the other's concern. But then again he didn't know that guardian angels couldn't fall sick. Removing his hand he stepped closer to the braided teen so Duo had no choice but to allow his umbrella to keep him from getting wet.
Duo, on the other hand, felt heat rise to his face again at Aiko's close proximity. Their arms brushed against each other as they continued to walk and Duo sighed happily, silently thanking the rain for the opportunity. He hoped it would rain tomorrow…
…However the next day was a bright and sunny day and Duo cursed the rain clouds for leaving so fast.
~*~*~
It was a little over a month since Aiko had transferred into Moriyama High School and Duo thought he was getting closer and closer to her. Even though she was as stoic as ever, he did catch her smiling softly every now and then. She was still quiet but now it seemed as though she felt at ease with just plain conversing. But what was weird… she only spoke with Duo and not anyone else. While the braided teen thought it was great that he was receiving all the attention, it would be nice if Aiko had more friends to talk to.
"Ohayo Aiko-san," Duo greeted the other teen as he neared her. It was another morning and they were walking to school together again like they had been doing for a while now. Aiko nodded to him and they started the 4-block walk to the school. Glancing sideways, the disguised angel smiled to himself. He never thought he'd enjoy pretending to be a human so much. Duo really got to him ever since the first day and he felt himself opening up more. Everything the other did with him: sharing lunch, going to the park, studying in the library, doing homework together… everything softened his hard heart and Heero began to spend more and more time on Earth and return to heaven later and later each day. He had almost forgotten his monthly report was due until a few days ago; luckily he got it done and in to Lady Une without suspicion.
"Aiko-san?" Heero blinked out of his deep thoughts and looked over to the braided boy. "I was wondering… would you like to go on a hike with us this weekend?"
"'Us'? You mean you and your friends?" Seeing Duo nod, Heero slowed his steps. Although he'd like to spend more time with the braided teen, he wasn't so sure about other people. It made him uncomfortable when one of Duo's friends at school came over to talk with the American and he had to watch silently. He was confused by the new feeling that crept up because he'd never had it before when it was just him and the other boy.
"You don't have to if you don't want to," Duo said softly. Heero glanced over to him and thought about all the other times that Duo offered to accompany him. Even though the guardian angel might not like it, it was the least he could do.
"Okay. What do I need?" Heero watched how Duo's face brightened almost radiantly.
"Honto? Arigato Aiko-san! It'll be just great and lots of fun," he said excitedly before rattling off everything that he would need to bring on the hike. Heero took note of the items; most of them were pretty much found in the normal household. Reaching the school Heero suddenly couldn't wait for the weekend to come.
~*~*~
Heero waited patiently at the street corner by the bookstore, his backpack filled with what Duo had suggested to bring for the hike. He was wearing sneakers, shorts, and a T-shirt in the warm weather and looking up at the bright sun, he was glad that the rain clouds decided to not visit today. The angel looked up when he heard a car horn and saw a van approach slowly. It stopped and Duo opened the side door.
"Aiko-san!" Duo waved to her. He smiled as she nodded and making room for her, he motioned Aiko to sit beside him.
"Let me introduce you to everyone, Aiko-san," he said while gesturing the people in the back seat. "That's Mika. You know, from class?" Heero nodded. She was one of the students who had sat next to the braided teen before but had been moved.
"Yuki," Duo continued, pointing to a young boy who smiled and nodded in greeting. "Haruko." Heero received a small wave from the teen. Turning to the front Duo gestured to the girl in the passenger seat. "Hisa. And the one driving is Shiro-senpai." Duo grinned at Heero and the other nodded in return.
"Yoroshiku." Everyone smiled and welcomed Heero to the group in return. The rest of the trip continued with soft chattering between the other teens, the young angel remaining quiet, just listening.
A few hours passed before Shiro-senpai arrived at the hiking grounds and parked the car. Everyone got out and Heero looked around. He'd never actually been to this part of Japan before, just having seen it through his Vigil Sphere. He was surprised at how different the mountains looked close up. They seemed to reach the heavens and Heero almost felt nostalgic, thinking about his home in the clouds and how he never dreamed of leaving them behind.
"Daijoubu Aiko-san," Hisa spoke up after seeing the uncomfortable look on the other's face. "It isn't as hard as you think." Heero nodded in thanks before Duo caught his eye. The braided teen smiled in reassurance and his own lips quirked upwards a little. As a group they made their way to the beginning of the hiking grounds and Shiro-senpai spoke up.
"Alright, like usual, we're going this way while you girls go that way," he said, gesturing the two different routes. "Then we'll meet up in an hour and a half at the most." Heero seemed to have looked confused because Yuki explained further.
"This trail is harder, Aiko-san," gesturing first to the right one then to the left. "And that should be easier for you. They both lead to the same place so it doesn't matter if we separate." Heero nodded in understanding but he still didn't like it. He would not be able to be with the braided teen when he was going to be walking up the "easier" trail with the other girls. But then again he couldn't do much about it so reluctantly he started his hike with the others, leaving Duo and his friends behind.
Duo watched as Aiko started up the trail and nearly jumped out of his skin when Shiro-senpai placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Daijoubu, Duo-kun. Nothing bad will happen to them," he reassured the younger teen. Duo smiled and nodded, wondering if the hike was a good idea after all. Shaking his head, he thought about the possibility that Aiko would make friends with the other girls during the trip up. Aiko deserved to have other friends beside himself. Turning towards the other trail he began his hike, his mood lighter than it had been before.
~*~*~
Heero followed the other girls as they continued hiking up the trail the mountain, laughing and chatting away. He stayed a bit behind to avoid getting dragged into the inane conversations humans had on infatuations and the like. Nevertheless he grew more irritated as the hike wore on. The guardian angel never felt any of this when he was with Duo and now Heero was beginning to regret his decision. He could have made the hike up with Duo and the others; who really cared what they thought?
"Don't you think so, Aiko-san?" Heero's head snapped up at Mika's question.
"Nani?" The other girls giggled at his seemingly confused look.
"Ne, weren't you listening, Aiko-san?" Haruko asked. Heero shook his head and she giggled again.
"We were saying what a cute couple you and Duo-kun make," Hisa said. The guardian blinked, half-surprised and half-shocked.
"Nani?!"
"Oh, come on, I know how much time you spend with him. And no girl spends *that* much time with a boy unless there's 'something' going on between them." Mika winked at Heero, who looked away seemingly embarrassed. She smiled and continued walking only backwards so she could keep talking to him.
"There's nothing wrong with that, Aiko-san. I think Duo-kun likes you too." The young angel looked up, this time surprise written all over his face.
"Honto?" Heero received agreements from all the other girls. He pondered that for a while… Everything could turn problematic if a relationship were to develop between himself and Duo. No, between *Aiko* and him. A very bad problem indeed. A guardian angel and a human cannot pursue any type of relationship either on Earth or in the heavens. Heero never realized that spending so much time trying to get to know Duo would result in this. Now he *was* relieved that he didn't follow Duo and his group. From now on, he must stay away from the other as much as possible until the braided boy's feelings diminished.
"Aiko-san? Are you okay?" Mika slowed her backward walking.
"Hai. Gomen," Heero said.
"It's alright. I thought something was both--" Mika didn't see the trail abruptly end and she stepped over the edge, losing her balance. Everything seemed to move in slow motion but Heero reacted immediately, reaching out to grab her hand. However, she was falling backwards, already in momentum and pulling the unruly-haired teen over the edge with her. Time sped up again as they both descended down the side of the mountain, Mika's scream piercing the air along with the shouts of Haruko and Hisa.
"MIKA!"
"AIKO-SAN!!!"
tbc…