Just a Shadow
Disclaimer:- I don't own Gundam Wing or any of its characters!
Chapter 2: Back Together Again
A big thank you to everybody who reviewed!
Warning: This chapter might be OOC for some characters, but you'll find out why in later chapters.
Wufei's POV
Well, here I am. It took a long time to get the courage up to finally visit him again, but I did and I'm here. Winner and Barton met me when I got off the plane. It's the first time we've been together since the accident. I shouldn't really call it an accident though, it wasn't after all.
I'll never tell anyone, but I'm afraid, terrified actually. I don't want to face him in the state he's in, the guilt is just too much, but we're all here, if not for Yuy, then for Maxwell.
If anybody knew how I felt I'm pretty sure they would laugh, after all, I am the one constantly raging on about weakness and justice. Ha. I no longer rant about justice. What happened to Yuy was not justice, but hopefully he will be restored soon, and we can all get on with our lives.
We're all sitting at a café waiting for Maxwell. The fool is late as usual, but I shouldn't complain. He has given up everything for his comrade, and now it is our turn to provide a little support.
Winner and Barton have been quietly catching up. It is none of my concern or business, so I do not focus on what they are saying – that is until the conversation turns to more relevant matters.
"Duo looks after him full time now, you know Quatre"
Barton is the one to bring up the subject of Yuy. I know it will be difficult to see him again, no, not difficult, more … awkward. None of us have seen him since he left the hospital.
"I know Trowa"
Winner blames himself for what happened. He always does. An argument had arisen from his constant concern. He had suggested sending Yuy to an institute, where he could be given 'proper care'.
Maxwell hadn't appreciated that at all, after all, he was the one looking after Yuy. He had accused Winner of trying to 'get Heero out of the way' and had taken the comment personally accusing 04 of insulting his ability to care for Yuy. You idiot Maxwell. Can't you see he's only trying to help?
Winner had even offered him money once or twice, but Maxwell insisted that he didn't want or need it. 'Guilt Money' he had called it once. He had told Winner that he had nothing to feel guilty about, but we all know he feels it to.
"Maxwell should be here by now"
I know my voce sounds harsh, but I cannot help that. It is the way I am.
"He's only 5 minutes late Wufei – maybe he had trouble handling Heero"
There he goes again. I have told Winner several times not to question or comment on the way that Maxwell handles Yuy, as it will only result in an argument.
I lie back in the seat and close my eyes. A few seconds later, a familiar voice comes to my ears.
Normal
"Hey guys!" Duo called "Sorry I'm late!"
The three pilots stood and greeted their comrades before picking up their bags and beginning the walk to Duo's car.
Quatre studied the frown on Duo's face.
"Um … Duo?" he called
"Mm?"
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine Quat" he answered briskly
"Are you sure … you look kind of mad … did we do something wrong?"
"Yeah actually"
Duo stopped as they reached the car and began to take our bags.
"Are you going to tell us what we did?" Towa asked quietly
"You haven't acknowledged Heero yet" he answered angrily "Just because he not all there, t doesn't mean that he's not there! I mean … oh! You know what I mean!"
"I'm sorry Duo" Quatre apologised
"Don't apologise to me"
Quatre faced Heero, who seemed to not even notice he was there and apologised whilst Trowa helped Duo load Heero into the back seat of the car.
Wufei's POV
Maxwell must have noticed the look of discomfort on my face, he's looking at me funny.
"I can sit him in the front seat if you want 'Fei"
I would actually prefer that, but I suppose I have to get used to being around him when he's lie this. What better time to start than the present?
"No" I reply "That's quite alright, in fact I'd like to sit in the back with Yuy"
They look shocked, all of them – except Yuy of course. He looks as though he just found a very interesting piece of rubble to stare at. Maybe I should start a little slower.
Normal
"Sure buddy" Duo replied with a huge grin, and for once it was real.
Wufei turned to Trowa and whispered in his ear whilst Duo finished loading Heero into the back seat and buckling him up.
"I guess I said the right thing then"
Trowa nodded, but Wufei could tell his eyes were smiling. When he looked at Quatre he could see pride there.
'They're proud of me' he thought 'I guess they thought I would scorn Yuy for his weakness'
Before long, they were ready to leave. Wufei climbed in the back and Quatre climbed into the front passenger seat.
"Here Tro" Duo said, handing Trowa the keys "I'll need to sit in the back in case he goes into one"
"I think I can handle Yuy" Wufei protested
"What are you talking about Fei?" Duo replied "I was talking about you!"
Wufei huffed and crossed his arms as a small chuckle spread through the car. The ride was short, they only lived 5 – 10 minutes in a car from the airport. Eventually they had unloaded their luggage from the car and made their way inside.
All of the boys sat in the lounge talking about the past two years.
"So has there been any improvement?" Quatre asked
"Actually yeah" Duo replied
"Really?"
"Yeah, he's trying to talk" Duo stated excitedly, but it's only been the last couple of days!"
"What has he said?" Wufei asked curiously
"He tried to say bird, but couldn't quite get the 'd'"
As if to prove the point, Heero spoke the word and the pilots smiled.
"He's still in there guys – really!"
"How can you be so sure?" Trowa asked "You know what the doctors said"
"Fuck the doctors Tro!"
"Actually, I'd rather not"
Duo burst out laughing at that comment and Quatre smiled at Trowa as the corners of his mouth twitched up at his own joke. After Duo had calmed down he continued the conversation.
"He's been trying to tell me that he still knows who he is – you've just got to look for the sign that he's gonna do somethin'!"
"What signs?" Wufei asked, taking a sip of his tea"
"Well, look at his eyes now – unfocused right?"
The pilots all turned to Heero and nodded their confirmation.
"Well, when he's gonna talk or somethin' they focus again!"
"Is that so?"
Trowa's POV
The conversation continued, but my eyes and focus remained on Heero. I wanted to see if what Duo had said was true or if it was just his imagination.
I must have stared at him for at least 20 minutes, but I got what I wanted. He seemed to notice that I had my attention on him because he turned to me and just as Duo described, his eyes focused slightly and narrowed into a glare. I suppose it's his way of telling me to stop staring at him.
I nod in his direction as his eyes go blurry once more and an eerie smile spreads across his face as he watches a moth dance around the light. I notice that Quatre looks a little disturbed, he must have seen it too.
I turn my attention to Duo as he calls me.
Normal
"Hey Tro!" Duo called "It's not nice to stare ya know!"
"I saw"
Duo looked puzzled for a moment and then looked between Trowa and Heero and smiled.
"Didn't I tell ya?" he grinned smugly
"You saw what?" Wufei asked
"Heero"
It was a simple answer, but it spoke in volumes to the other pilots. A short moment of silence passed before Quatre spoke up again.
"I can't believe it's been two years already!" he exclaimed
"I can't believe it's been six years since the Mariemaia incident!" Duo laughed
"Oh yeah?" Quatre smirked "Well I can't believe it's been seven years since the war ended!"
"Yeah?" Duo laughed, catching on to Quatre's game "I can't believe the Earth has survived the 22 years I've been around!"
"That's because you weren't on it for 15 you idiot!" Wufei snapped and they all laughed lightly.
Suddenly Heero shouted and shot out of his wheelchair lurching forward as if reaching for something. Trowa was the quickest to react and caught his fellow pilot before he hit the floor.
"He does that often?" Wufei asked arching an eyebrow
"Nah" Duo replied, calming his breathing "I think he sees things we don't"
Another moment of silence passed as the men calmed down from Heero's sudden outburst.
"Do you remember when we first found this place?" Quatre asked
All the pilots smiled at the memory. It seemed so far away.
Well, that's it for this chapter, thanks again to those that reviewed, I really appreciate it. In the next couple of chapters, the story of how it all happened will begin.
If there are any anonymous reviewers that would like me to send them an email when I update, feel free to email me and tell me.
Until Next Time!
Clarobell