ShadowDaemon: Thanks for the compliment. And yes, more characters will be working their way into the story. Most definitely. In fact, I do believe every character of GW will have their name placed somewhere in here.
Mel Castor: I appreciate your kind words More motivation, woot!
Believe In Me
Duo slid the key into the ignition, turning it slightly and bringing the engine to life. It staggered, rising and falling, before quitting. Giving a heavy sigh, Duo tried once more, producing an equal result. He let his forehead fall to the steering wheel, deeming his day already worthless and wondering how much trouble he would get into if he just climbed into bed and disappeared for twenty four hours. But then the image of a distressed young woman popped into him mind, begging him to use the bus. Dragging himself out of the car he started on down the sidewalk from the apartment complex where he stayed. Vaguely he wondered if his life would go anywhere. Sitting at the bus bench he looked at his watch. Should be a half an hour before the bus arrived.
"You look awfully tired young man." An elderly woman's voice spoke kindly, and Duo looked to his side. He gave a meek smile and nodded.
"Yea…kind of I guess." She smiled in return. Though is was far more kind, warm, and sincere. Duo's mind wandered to the war. Back when he and four others had been fighting for what others believed in, then soon for their own belief in peace. This was what he fought for. These people who were kind and caring and wanted nothing more than a peaceful place to live. People with hopes, dreams and aspirations, and others who wanted to help those with such. As if out of no where he was able to believe that his life was good, and that he still had a purpose. Exactly what, he wasn't sure, but he'd find it. The elderly woman seemed to study him, and while his thoughts were settling, her stare was quite the opposite. A little girl sitting beside her, a creature he hadn't seen till now, poked her and asked, "Grandma, he looks familiar." At that Duo raised an eyebrow, growing uncomfortable. The woman chuckled.
"She must have seen someone that looked quite like you on TV I'm sure." The elderly woman explained calmly, though the expression in her eyes told him she knew more and wasn't about to let on to it. Duo gave no indication to the fact that he comprehended. He merely laughed, attempting to shake off the eerie feeling that woman's knowing gaze gave him.
Exactly how would the people remember the five young gundam pilots who risked their lives for everything?
The bus pulled out in front of them after fifteen minutes of awkward silence.
"Guess this is my bus…" Duo spoke as he climbed on board. "Nice meetin' you two." He said kindly, throwing a wink to them before settling down as the bus pulled away.
The town he lived in was small, but was a branch off from a busy city. The bus took him into the border between the bustling big city and the little towns where there was small shops all about and little eateries here and there. It was around this area that Hilde had her apartment. He walked the rest of the block to get there. He took a deep breath as he knocked on her door. He wasn't so much as nervous as he was worried. Worried and stressing over keeping himself in check where his own feelings were concerned. Slowly the door opened, and a face peered through the small crack. A happy 'Duo!' was heard as the young woman opened the door, throwing her arms out to be caught in a friendly embrace.
"How ya doin'? All's good?" Hilde nodded, sniffling slightly, but still smiling brightly. Duo raised an eyebrow and presented a lopsided smile. "Liar." She let loose a small, embarrassed laugh.
"Let's go get that ice cream you promised me!" She quickly changed the subject, running from what was hurting her deep inside. He took her hand in his, and the walked a block back to where the small shops and eateries were. Picking a table outside in the cool but bright environment, they nibbled at the ice cream Duo had bought for them. They look much like a pair of close friends, or perhaps a young couple. Duo liked it this way, being with her simply like this. If only it were forever.
Hilde didn't speak a word of her relationship, nor the problem lying in it. They simply talked about everyday issues and generally about life. Hilde had gotten a new job closer to the city. She was a receptionist at a hotel now whereas Duo still worked at the scrap yard. He didn't mind. The only thing that bothered him was that he didn't see her as often anymore. It sure did leave a lot to catch up on.
An hour had passed, and their ice cream was long since gone. Many words had passed between them, but not a scrap of Hilde's true worries. Finally, however, she opened up to him. When she did, her voice was calm but quiet.
"I ended it." Duo glanced up curiously, and was not quite on track with what she was talking about. His blank stare brought her to repeat herself.
"I ended it with Jake." Duo's expression grew grave and he nodded. He knew that Jake didn't deserve her. He was a prick and was out to use her just as he had many women before. Just another man out in the world. But he had said such about many of the men Hilde had been dating. She didn't need to be told again, surely.
"It's okay though. I think I love someone else…" Hilde held his gaze firmly, even as he looked away. Looked to his folded hands thoughtfully, outwardly attempting to show that he was happy for her.
"I sure hope things work out for you Hilde. You deserve more than what you've been getting." His words, and truly as he meant them, seemed to flow past his lips mechanically. Oh how he believed it! But how many times had he said it! Hilde still watched him carefully, almost expectantly.
"I just…don't know how to tell him." She said softly, her eyes eagerly waiting for him to raise his. She wanted to know what was going on in that head of his. But he didn't give. Part of him was more interested in his hands than looking her in the eyes. He knew if did he would have a hard time of not pulling her close and showing her just how much he really loved her.
"When the time comes to tell him I'm sure you'll know Hilde. I'm sure of it." His voice was as quiet as hers now, but not weak. It was kind, and he spoke to her like a friend giving advice, even if he dearly wished he was more than just a close friend. Hilde nodded, watching him still. A beeping noise interrupted both of their thoughts, and Duo looked to his watch, frowning.
"Looks like work time, babe. I've gotta split." It was if suddenly something slid into to place in Duo, and Hilde noticed it. Something about the man sitting across from her. It was how he had so easily moved from one skin to another. She could barely follow him when he shifted as he did just now. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words would not come out. She hadn't expected him to have to leave so soon, but then realized that they had sat there for an hour. Duo stood, and still she fought for something to say. A thank you perhaps? Why couldn't she say anything? Why did she suddenly feel cut off from understanding her best friend?
Duo helped her up and gave her a friendly hug good bye, choosing not to make any eye contact whilst she fought for it. It was then Hilde realized a difference in her friend she couldn't quite place. He seemed more…wary of her? His words came more quiet nowadays. They came with less meaning and force. Was she annoying him with her constant relationship problems? It shocked her to think that she was pushing him slowly away. There was something in Duo's life that he was opening up to her about, and it disturbed her greatly.
"Goodbye Duo. Good luck at work and...thankyou." She had finally found her voice as he was walking away. He waved to her, turning only slightly to smile as he made his way to the bus stop where the vehicle was just pulling up.
Hilde watched her best friend board the bus, wishing she could know what was on his mind just then.
OOO
Vast open space spread out before Heero Yuy as his shuttle sped towards its destination. The stars mesmerized many on such trips through outer space, but not this soldier. Quietly he rested, awaiting the tell tale beep that would tell him when he approached his landing spot, or if any potential danger was near. No such sound arose anytime near.
The Perfect Soldier's outward appearance was blank and still, as if he were some sort of android. But inwardly, his thoughts meandered as they most times did whilst in times of solace. He vaguely wondered what the other pilots had found in their lives. Had they come to take a part of the peace they hard fought so hard for? And what of Relena? Of course, a year ago he had been assigned as her personal body guard. But there had been a stiff tension in the air. One he did not like. While he had come to understand the emotion that threatened his very existence, he had not come to feel comfortable with it, and found an occupation else where. The ways of the soldier had been grilled far too perfectly into him, whether he knew that or not. He was a weapon first and foremost. He was given a mission, and dealt with it accordingly. There was no room for emotions and feelings. Whether he was capable of them or not was not the issue. The problem at hand was that if emotions settled well with Heero Yuy, then he would be of use no more. His purpose would not longer be clear. And that was the one thing, secretly, he feared most of all.
The telltale glow of an incoming message he could see beneath his eyelids, and he opened the emotionless orbs to the coming call. An elderly man appeared on the screen.
"I take it you are arriving. That is good. Very nice timing Yuy. I will see you shortly in the docking bay." Heero nodding, reached a hand forwards to close the communication.
Dr. J would be happy to see that his weapon was in perfect working order once more…perhaps.
OOO
"Do you believe it possible that Relena might be losing her touch?" A catlike voice chirped over the phone. Quatre sighed. He was sure he'd had this conversation with Dorothy many times.
"No…I mean…surely anything's possible Dorothy, but I wouldn't be underestimating Relena. She is a strong young woman." He could here her giggle over the line, but read it to be an irritated one. It was true however, that Relena was slowly fading. She lived on a rocky foundation, not quite sure where to turn. Her older brother, Miliardo, attempted to right his teachings of peace with her, but to no avail. There was something inside her turning her upside down. A notion in her mind that gave less conviction to her leadership and speeches, and it worried Quatre. With each time he saw her she looked thinner and more pale. With each time they spoke she sounded more weary. And slowly something inside was eating away at her. He could see it in her eyes.
"Sure Quatre. You are such a good friend…you know that?" Suddenly her voice grew sincere, loving, and rather friendly. This was the only side of Dorothy that Quatre could handle. There was a part of her many rarely ever saw. This kind and true side that he really loved.
"You are too Dorothy," Quatre added, "when you want to be I suppose." At that the two of them shared a laugh. Quatre cast his gaze out the window, sighing as he peered out over the yard, his eyes wandering to the stable. He had a thought.
"Hey Dororthy…we'll talk later?" She agreed and he headed downstairs, throwing on riding pants and heading out the door. The air was cool as the sun fell from the sky. As he entered the stable his mind wandered to that of the girl. Nala was her name.
"Gee…she sure has pretty eyes…" He commented as he reached for Freedom's rope halter. That's what he had named the mare. It was what she deserved, and what she had given him. A sense of freedom. When they were together it seemed like the world simply faded away and they were one in their very own world. What a feeling he wished never to give up. "And she seems very kind you know, Freedom." He smiled. Nala had been the one to assist him in his first ride on Freedom. The girl had sworn that she had never rode in her life. That the only reason she understand the technique was because he father once owned many such fine Arabs. Quatre simply excepted her excuse, and took the lessons she had to give. She thought it odd that a man would accept lessons from a woman, but Quatre convinced her otherwise. And as the hours had passed he had surprised her many times by denying and even arguing against much of what had plagued his culture and people.
"If only she wasn't forced to hide." Freedom looked at him, her gaze seemingly understanding. She had a way of doing that. Simply understanding people for who they were. She knew who was kind, and who was cruel. She knew peace and solace, and she pinpointed corruption and annoyance easily. It was what Quatre also cherished most about her.
"I want to show her freedom too…and you have to help me." With that he gave her a pat and swung into the saddle he had placed upon her back. The sands shifted outside the stables, a light breeze picking up as the bright full moon rose.
OOO
I hope that was enjoyable. I know the story is moving kind of slow… -tears- but it'll get better, I promise. Till next chapter!
