D.N.A Phoenix

Chapter 8: Things Fall Apart

By Kiyoko

1-30-05

Together Orion and Toshiro stepped out into his living room to see a man dressed in a finely pressed black uniform that consisted of pants and a button up coat.

"Your limo awaits gentlemen." The man said very politely as he gave a slight bow. Present and flowers in hand, Orion led the group outside to where a black shinny limo was parked in front of Toshiro's house. The man, which Orion had figured was the driver, rushed in front of him to open the door. Orion waved to Toshiro's mom before entering the limo. When he got in he saw Lavender sitting on the far side of the limo wearing a black dress, a very tight black dress. From what he could see, the dress had a slit that went up to about mid thigh and the hem rested an inch or so above her ankle. Orion saw her smiling at him as he entered taking a seat on the plush leather interior and sliding toward the front to let Toshiro in.

"Hello."

"It's nice to make your acquaintance again Orion. I see you brought flowers as I suggested. A very wise decision," Lavender said motioning the boy closer to her. A moment later Toshiro entered the limo, then took a seat next to Orion. Lavender surveyed the boy that just entered the limo. He appeared to be taller than Orion sitting down; he had dark brown hair and almost black eyes. His hair fell into his face occasionally, but he jerked his head every time to get it out.

"Lavender, this is my best friend Toshiro, Toshiro this is Lavender." Orion said. Toshiro nervously took Lavender's perfectly manicured fingers into his hand and kissed her knuckles.

"Its…it's a pleasure." Toshiro said stuttering a bit. Lavender held back a laugh. The poor boy was so nervous. She could see him trying to control his shaking.

"Chivalry is not dead. It's very nice to meet you." Lavender said, trying to calm his nerves.

Much to Lavender's dismay, the ride to the Winner estate was made in complete silence. She could tell that Orion was deep in thought by the way he kept creasing his eyebrows and how he opened his mouth to say something but thought better of it. Toshiro was silent as a stone next to his friend. He kept on moving around in his seat as if he was trying to find a better position. Not to mention he kept glancing in her direction before shyly averting his dark eyes whenever she looked at him. 'It better not be like this at the party.' she thought.

When the trio finally pulled up to the front of the Winner Manor, Lavender let out a sigh of relief. The door opened a moment later and the three of them scooted toward the door. Once Orion was out he took Lavender's offered hand and helped her out of the limo. When she was out he offered her his jacket clad arm which she gladly accepted. Orion finally had a chance to look up at the structure in front of him. The front of the house had white roman pillars with gray marble steps that led to the entrance. The front doors were huge standing at nearly twenty five feet. The palm of Orion's hands started to sweat slightly as he took deep breaths before leading Lavender into the building.

The interior of the Manor was even more beautiful that the exterior. The floor in the entrance hall was also gray marble. In front of him there was a huge oak grand stair case which led up to the second floor, but half way up the stairs split into two different directions. They had walked a few feet in before Lavender motion a servant over.

"Could you please take these up to Glory's bedroom?" She asked then plucked the gifts Orion was holding in his other arm and placed them in the servants.

"Thank you."

"Oh course my lady." he replied before heading up the large staircase. Lavender then steered the trio to the right and into a huge ballroom filled with a plethora of people. Blue and yellow streamers had been strung across the length of the ballroom and balloons were placed all around the perimeter of the room, weighed down by potted plants.

Glory had been talking to her friends that she had not seen in months. In her opinion the party was quite over done. What were they going to do as she got older? It couldn't get any bigger than this. It was not possible. All of the Gundam pilot's children were there, though she hadn't seen Lavender yet, she always loved to be fashionably late. Many of her father's client's children were here too. Mr. Congerad's son had been making googley eyes at her since he arrived. He looked to be about a year or two older than she was, yet had the poise and confidence of a boy just hitting puberty.

'Ugh, why did father have to invite him?' She turned her gaze away from the annoying boy toward the entrance of the ballroom where her heart stopped in her chest. 'NO! It can't be! What is he doing here!' Her heart raced faster and her breathing became heavy. She looked at him with surprise and anger. Then her gaze traveled to the person that was attached to his arm.

"Lavender." she whispered, loud enough only for her ears. Her mind jumped to a thousand different conclusions all at once not anyone of them an idea she liked. Next a wave of indistinguishable emotions flooded her heart so fast she hadn't a chance to grasp onto one of them. 'No, no, no 'she though,' today was supposed to be clear of all problems and distractions'. She watched as Lavender looked in her direction grinning from ear to ear. Lavender gently tugged on Orion to lead him over to Glory. Orion followed her lead noticing their destination. He could see a panicked look in Glory's eyes and could feel his stomach begin to do flip flops. He knew that she would react this way. All he wanted was for them to be friends, maybe more in the future. There was something about her he couldn't explain, all he knew was that he wanted to be with her and nothing else.

He wished that he could stop time and prevent the inevitable, but we rarely get what we wish for. Seconds later they were in front of Glory and a group of kids her age.

'God she's beautiful.' he thought looking her over. She was wearing a lace gown with a square cut neckline and see through lace sleeves that went down to her elbow. The top hugged her curves then went out at the hips and ended at her knees. A sash was tied around her middle and came around her back then tied into an intricate bow. The dress was pure white and couldn't have looked better on anyone else.

Lavender released Orion to give Glory a tight hug.

"Happy Birthday," she whispered in her ear while continuing to hug her," I hope you like my present. It cost me a pretty penny."

"When you said you got me a surprise, this wasn't even close to anything on my list." Glory whispered back.

"Happy Birthday Glory," Orion said once Lavender and Glory had moved out of their embrace.

"What are you doing here?" she almost hissed at him. 'I knew this was a bad idea'He thought to himself.

"Lavender invited me, plus I want to be here." Glory seemed to think it over for a moment before smiling politely to her friend.

"Please excuse us, we need to talk privately for a moment." The birthday girl explained before grabbing Orion's hand, dragging him along behind her. She continued to drag into an empty corridor away from the bustle of the party. Suddenly she turned on him, eyes blazing.

"When will you give up?" she nearly roared at him, "Not only do you harass me at school, but now you're doing it at my home!" Orion gazed back at her sadly.

"I know that we are young, but I can't help feeling the way I do." Embarrassed, he turned his head toward the wall to avoid her intense stare.

"Since the moment I met you, I felt drawn to you. There was this indescribable feeling in my heart screaming at me to get closer." Gathering up his courage, he looked the blonde girl in the eye.

"How can you ignore something like that? Besides, Lavender told me how you felt!" Glory's face turned a bright shade of red.

"Admiring someone and being in love are two completely different things. You don't know anything!"

"Can't you see, that little boy wasn't made for you, I was! I'm wearing my heart on my sleeve for you, hell you've already stolen it!" The flustered boy ran a shaking hand through his hair as he felt a deep blush stain his cheeks.

"I… no, you're wrong! I loved him, I love him now." The boy shook his head in disbelief.

"How can you hold onto a child's love, something that happened when you were three?"

"Because I know he would never betray me!"

"I would never betray you, never leave your side." Orion's dark orbs glared into hers as to challenge the girl to think otherwise.

"I shouldn't have to deal with this, I'm only 14!"

"Then when Glory? Five years from now, ten? How do you even know he is alive?"

"I feel him; it's gotten stronger in the past year. He's close, so close I can almost feel like I can reach out and touch him. My heart is on the verge of exploding, I can't ignore it and I can't ignore him. He's nagging my heart, that little part of me that won't let go. It's rightfully his. I've already given it to him!" Glory's cheeks had stained bright red and her chest heaved slightly as she swallowed large amounts of air. Orion noticed her eyes were lit up with a dangerous fire and he'd give anything to be burned by them. The young boy knew he was playing with fire when it came to this girl. It was pure torture to be so close to the fire, but unable to feel the warmth emanating from the dancing flames.

"I see," the down trodden boy began, "I suppose there is nothing left but to…" Quickly the boy gathered the petite girl into his arms and brought her body close to his own. He sought out her lips with his own and as they touched, a bolt of electricity shot throughout their bodies nearly forcing them apart. Through that kiss Glory felt something awaken inside of her that she hadn't felt since she was young. The shock forced her to plant her hands firmly on Orion's chest and forcefully push him away. Realization washed through her brain so fast she back peddled into the wall.

"No, it can't be!" she barely whispered. A wave of panic flowed through Orion's body.

"Oh god…I'm so sorry! Oh Glory, I didn't mean to violate you like that!" the boy pleaded with her, but she wasn't listening. Her eyes were glossy and looked right through him. Suddenly the girl clutched her head, slid down the wall, and began mumbling to herself, "All this time, I can't believe it. He was right in front of me!" Tears welled up in her confused eyes before pouring down her cheeks. Glory's empathic abilities spun out of control causing her to have a minor breakdown.

Out in the distance Orion could hear some light shouting which progressively became louder.

"I told you, they went down this way!" A strong feminine voice rang out.

"What did you do? Why is he here?" A harsh male voice replied. The steps rang ever closer as Glory's sobs became louder. Orion didn't know what to do. He tried approaching the girl, but she was clearly somewhere else. He knelt down next to her trying to comfort her somehow.

"I already told you, it was her gift! Why are you so angry?" the feminine voice said again.

"I should have seen it!" Glory mumbled out again. The girl clutched her head even harder as her breathing became ragged.

"Someone help me!" Orion yelled out into the corridor. Moments later the tapping of shoes could be heard rounding the corner. His head whipped around noticing Lavender's shocked face and a man with dark brown hair. A second glance revealed the man to be none other than Heero Yuy the richest computer tycoon and most importantly a Gundam Pilot. Lavender knelt down next to her friend taking Glory's tear stained face into her hands forcing her to look at the older girl.

"Glory…Glory! What happened?" She yelled.

"We just talked and we uh…we kissed then she started freaking out!" he explained to her quickly. Suddenly he was yanked up from his position from the floor and was met with a pair of piercing cobalt blue eyes.

"It's time to go." Heero stated flatly before leading the boy down the hallway. Orion looked over his shoulder to the girls on the ground eyes wide.

"Wait, what about her. I need to know she is ok!" he shouted at the former pilot before realizing whom he was yelling at then paling a bit.

"She'll be fine." Heero said as he continued to drag the boy. Somehow they managed to make it to the entrance hall without going through the ballroom. Absently Orion noticed being shoved into a black sports car, a Maxwell brand car. The drive was made in silence while Orion enjoyed his first and probably last ride in the luxurious car. In no time they were parked in his front yard.

"Get out." Heero ordered sternly. The boy got out of the car as ordered, his heart pounding furiously in his chest. He could imagine his mom's reaction. She was going to freak. Not only was he dressed in an expensive tux, Heero Yuy was escorting him home with barely contained fury for reasons unknown. He was so dead. Orion quietly stood behind the taller man on the porch as Heero rang to door bell. He heard some muffled movement from inside the house before the door opened.

"Heero, what are you…" her voice trailed off as she noticed her son step out from behind the ex-pilot. 'Oh god' she thought. Internally she began panicking. Had something bad happened? The look on Heero's face wasn't pleasant and she could anticipate an unpleasant conversation with him in the very very near future.

"Hi mom," Orion said cautiously. He moved into the house with Heero following him. Alex closed the door and turned to the pair standing in her foyer.

"What's going on?" she asked, confused.

"And why is my son in a tuxedo?" Heero took a breath, "I believe this is a private matter," he said shifting his eyes quickly to Orion. Alex nodded understanding his hidden message.

"Go to your room." She ordered staring pointedly into her son's eyes.

"Wait, what is going on mom? How do you know Heero Yuy?" he asked frustrated. Some odd things had occurred tonight and he intended on finding out what it was. Obviously his mom knew who Heero Yuy was, who didn't? But the way she said his name had the gears turning in his head. Something wasn't right.

"Now! This isn't up for discussion!" Deflated he sulked up to his room and slammed the door. Fuming he flopped himself onto the bed face first. Downstairs Alex sighed quietly before meeting the blazing eyes of her brother.

"What the hell is going on Heero? I can just imagine the thoughts going through Orion's head at the moment." This wasn't the type of reunion she had in mind.

"Do you know where your son was this evening? How could you have allowed him to go?" He roared at her. After all the precautions he went through to keep them safe.

"Do you know what could have happened if anyone noticed him? What if Trowa had been there, do you think he wouldn't notice his own son! Your cover could have been blown."

"What are you talking about Heero, where did he go tonight?" She was so confused. A millions thoughts popped up into her head.

"He was at Glory Winner's 14th birthday party. Just think of all the damage!"

"Oh god Heero, you're not serious are you? How the hell did he end up there?" Shit shit shit! This was not happening.

"I only had a few moments to question Lavender about it, but apparently they go to the same academy."

"Lavender Peacecraft? How many people know about this?" Alex was overwhelmed by all this new information. What else had her son been doing behind her back?

"I'm not sure, but I intend to find out and much more."

Orion flipped over on his bed to stare at the ceiling. Tonight had definitely not been normal. And Glory, he hoped that she was ok. Just remembering the taste of her lips sent his heart reeling. He had never been interested in girls before her. There was just something so special about her he couldn't let go. The yelling had died down outside his room and Orion thought it was a good time to start eavesdropping to get some answers. Quickly he shed the tux and laid the pieces carefully on his bed then tossed on a shirt. Stealthily he left his room and crept toward the staircase. He noticed the pair had moved into the kitchen down the hall. He could softly hear their voices float down to his position at the bottom of the stair case and he listened carefully.

"Well I guess what's done is done. We just have to hope that we got away with minimal damage. The girl will know who he is due to her empathic ability, hopefully she can keep quiet." Heero explained then took a sip of the tea Alex had prepared for him.

"So I take it you haven't been keeping tabs on us lately? Otherwise you would have notice our little school glitch. Things must be peaceful in the Sanq Kingdom."

"It's true," Heero began then shifted in his chair, "Things have been peaceful and I know you're capable of taking care of yourself."

"It's nice to know my brother is looking over me," she replied sarcastically. Alex knew it was true though, she wasn't a child, hell she had her own to look after.

"That's what I'm here for." Orion nearly gasped out loud. He must not have heard correctly. Did his mother just call Heero Yuy brother? Impossible, he must be going mad.

"How's Aurora doing? I have seen much about her on the news and such. You would think being part of such an influential family there would be a lot more coverage. I haven't exactly been the best aunt. Oh and I heard you had a son."

"Yeah, his name is Hiroyuki. Aurora is doing fine, you know she has her own little group with Lavender, Trio, Merian, Athena, and when on Earth, Glory. She's always complaining about missing something or rather someone to complete it. Of course we know who that is." Heero looked sadly into his tea. He was sorry Orion was not part of his daughter's group. He would be even sadder to know about the bond that held the seven children together that was forged at Lavender's birthday party so many years ago.

"I still can't believe Wufei had two daughters. Serves him right for all the 'women are weak' crap he spat out during the war." Orion couldn't deny it anymore. Heero Yuy must really be his uncle. For a moment he thought about their resemblance. Both had the same chocolate colored hair and piercing blue eyes. The rest of their conversation didn't answer any of the other questions he had. Deciding he wouldn't learn anymore that night he quietly slipped back into his room and plopped on the bed before sleep took him.

A/N: Wow, it's been a while since I've posted. Something like two years. Please review if you have a moment