Together Again

"…to control the all ready harsh and often brutal competition, the so called 'Robber Barons' would buy out their competitors, sometimes even threatening lives in order to get what they wanted. Of course this nearly eliminated small business as well as free enterprise and created huge monopolies…" the hyper active History teacher, Mr. Lentz continued to lecture, using exaggerated movements and accentuated words. Despite the high energy teachings going on, Duo Maxwell could hardly keep his head up. His eyes drooped sleepily and his head was constantly bobbing up and down.

"Duo!" his friend, Heero Yuy, hissed from beside him, smacking Duo's arm. Duo startled awake, a tiny cry escaping as he did so, catching the teacher's attention. Mr. Lentz paused his lecture long enough to stare at the two teens in the back row.

Mr. Lentz knew good and well that they were two of five, the five that ended the Eve Wars and prevented another war just over a year ago. They were two of the Gundam Pilots, now enrolled at an American high school in hopes of getting the reminder of the education they should have received ages ago. As far as students went, they were pretty much okay, but Mr. Maxwell could never seem to stay awake even in his intense lectures. He always seemed tired and worn down, something constantly on his mind; something that haunted the war torn teenager like nothing should ever do to some one Duo's age.

Mr. Lentz returned to lecturing, choosing to let the interruption pass after Duo gave him a shaky grin and a quiet apology, returning quickly to his book. Heero gave a sigh in the seat next to Duo. A few seconds later a folded piece of lined paper was pushed over the text in the book. Duo picked it up and read it.

Duo, pay attention baka!

Duo gave a heavy sigh, not wanting to get in to it with Heero. His excuses, though total truth, were never good enough for the cynical teen. He wrote a quick response and passed the note back.

I can't help it! I am really tired, okay? So just get off my case!

Heero rolled his eyes at the answer, wondering if Duo was ever full conscious in the day. The braided teen was a perpetual night owl, creeping around his apartment till all hours of the morning doing God-knows-what and thinking about thoughts that only he and the walls knew about.

How many times have I told you…we're on school now, so be responsible and get some sleep at night instead of staying up until the butt ass crack of dawn…

Dame, Hee-chan. I can't sleep at night.

Heero looked up at Duo curiously. Was he simply pushing it off as simple insomnia, or was it creeping in to his nights, too? Heero couldn't imagine something like that affecting Duo so deeply. Sure, everyone knew the memories ate his heart like a rabid animal, but even something as big as…that…wouldn't start to affect Duo's sleeping habits. Would it?

Pure insomnia or is something bothering you?

Duo scoffed quietly at the response. Heero was actually concerned for his well being?

Since when did you actaully care about how my life was going?

What's that supposed to mean?

Exactly what it says, Yuy. You really care about my well being?

Hai, Duo, I always have. Just because I act like I don't care doesn't mean I really don't. That's just the way I am. You should know that by now.

Oh, I see…well, if you must know it's from bad dreams.

Heero looked up at Duo, finally seeing the dark circles underneath his big blue eyes. His unusually pale skin gave him the look of a tortured soul. Heero started to respond, hoping he could some how urge the stubborn boy to talk about what happened so long ago, when Mr. Lentz walked by, snatching the note away.

"I'll see you after class Mr. Yuy." Mr. Lentz said as he ripped the note up.

"But, he didn't-" Duo started to protest, trying to defend his friend. Heero threw him a look, then glanced up at Mr. Lentz, giving a small nod.

"Yes, sir."

After class…

Wufei Chang headed down the hall to pick up Duo and Heero for lunch when he saw a lone braided pilot leaning against the brick wall, arms crossed over his chest and head bowed low, Heero no where in sight. The halls were almost empty, everyone all ready on their way to lunch, and the class room door Duo was near was tightly closed.

"Where's Heero?" Wufei asked once he got close enough. Duo pointed a thumb to Mr. Lentz's door. Wufei raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

"Got caught passing notes."

"Maxwell!" Wufei exclaimed, " Why do you insist on getting him in trouble?" he snapped. Duo spun around to face him, eyes flashing angrily despite his fatigue.

"I tried to save his ass but he wouldn't let me, so don't pull that justice and integrity bull shit." Duo hissed. Wufei was pretty much undaunted, as usual. Duo's loss of his happy-go-lucky personality and his sudden unpredictable outbursts didn't come as any surprised to the Chinese boy after what happened to Duo. Though never outwardly admitted, however, it did slightly worry Wufei that Duo was becoming too depressed for his own good. Wufei started with a comeback never the less, until he was cut off by the sound of a door opening and Heero intervening.

"Enough." The monotone voice floated from the side. Duo glared at Wufei, then glanced over his shoulder at Heero, "I didn't get in trouble." Heero answered at the silent question.

"Good." Duo said shortly, walking away from the two. Wufei gave Heero ways glance, watching Duo's receding form go down the hall.

"It's still haunting him, isn't it?" the young man asked his friend.

"It never stopped, Wufei."

Quatre Raberba Winner still couldn't get used to seeing Duo sulk down the halls of the high school on a daily basis since it happened, never smiling or cracking a joke like he used to. So when Duo came storming down the halls that particular day he stopped in mid sentence, causing Trowa Barton to glance over his shoulder.

"Mr. Sunshine's back…" Trowa said snidely, never much caring for Duo's attitude change. Quatre gave Trowa a pleading look.

"Yameru, Trowa-chan…you know he's still reeling from it." Trowa frowned deeply, knowing it was true, and despite the discontempt he felt towards Duo's attitude. All too well did Trowa Barton, once known as 'Nanashi' know what the other pilot was going though.

A good twenty feet away and in one of the main halls, Duo walked by unheeding of the two pairs of eyes following him.

The two teens watched their angry friend walk by, wishing there was something they could do, but knowing good and well that Duo was stuck having to deal with this new pain all on his own.

Duo stormed in to the cafeteria, obviously upset. A young girl with long auburn hair and thoughtful green eyes watched the braided pilot walk to the stage, jump up on to the edge, and stomp off in to the dark recesses of backstage. Everyone knew who those five boys were, those famous Gundam pilots from the Eve Wars. Five brave teenage souls who risked everything just to give peace back to the colonies. Everyone at the school also knew not to bring up their torrid past, because that's all it was: the past.

Hikari Hino knew that it was that same exact subject that cause Duo Maxwell's pain, all because it was being left in the dark…and eating him alive. She was one of the few who knew he was the soul survivor of the Maxwell Church Massacre of A.C. 192. Shinigami was alone in fighting his demons, and he was losing.

Kari made an attempt to befriend the ex-pilots, but a few months after the school year began, Duo shied away from his friends, losing his happy-go-lucky smile and boisterous attitude. Duo missed an entire week for some unknown reason, then when he returned and Kari attempted to ask him about his disappearance, a sullen Quatre stopped her and asked to leave him alone. The subject was dropped then and there, and Duo wouldn't speak to the girl, leaving her to wonder what in the world could have been going on. She had a crush on him, that was a fact that couldn't be denied, and it killed her to see him like he was. She wanted to help, but she never even had a chance to understand what his problem was.

Well, now's a good time to find out…Kari thought after seeing none of the other pilots were around. She followed the path Duo had taken, stealing behind the thick blue curtain in to the darkness. No light penetrated the velvet shield and the back rooms were all empty, devoid of all life. The perfect place for Shinigami to be alone with his brooding thoughts.

Kari shivered at the sudden cold and alone feeling that she got.

Is this what it's like for him all the time?

"Duo?" she finally called out. Suddenly a large hand was put over her mouth, causing her to cry out as she was pulled backward. She stumbled in to a strong body, a familiar scent filling the air around her. Some was breathing on her neck and it was making the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.

"You should listen to Quatre when he says leave me alone." Duo rasped. Kari narrowed her eyes and bit down hard on his finger. Duo yelped in surprise and released the young girl. Kari spun around to face her assailant, who was now holding a bleeding finger.

"I'd rather listen to my own gut instinct." Kari shot back.

"Yeah?" Duo said angrily, "What's it tellin' you?"

"That you need some one to talk to…" Kari answered, a little softer this time. Duo made a rude noise through his lips and looked back down at his hand.

"Thanks. You drew blood." He stated.

"If you hadn't tried to suffocate me!" Kari yelled. Duo frowned deeply, suddenly regretful of his actions. Kari sighed and walked over, taking Duo's hand in to her own, "I'm sorry." She said, taking tissue out of her pocket and wrapping his finger.

"Why do you think I need some one to talk to?" Duo asked. Kari gazed up in to his eyes, his hand still in hers.

"Because…something's got you angry. You've changed…and I miss the Duo I met when the school year started." She answered quietly. Duo sighed deeply.

"People change, Kari."

"Not like that they don't. Duo, you need to get it off your mind. I can tell what ever it is, it's just eating you up inside. Please…just talk to me." Kari pleaded. Duo bit his lip and stared off in to the darkness.

"Not here."

"Where then?"

"Are you busy after school?" Kari shook her head. Duo took his hand back and walked towards the curtain, "Meet me at the front. I hope you don't mind riding a motorcycle."

Kari only nodded and watched the boy leave

Oh Duo…

After school…

Kari walked out the door of the school only to have a bike helmet thrust in to her chest by Duo who was standing off to the side of the door with his black cap shadowing his face and a black leather jacket.

"Let's go." He said, his voice clipped. Kari sighed and followed Duo to his motorbike. The two hopped on and sped out a back entrance of the school avoiding the crammed front entryway full of kids eager to get home. They drove for what felt like forever to Kari, silent and reclusive with their own thoughts. Kari wondered whether or not Duo even noticed her arms around his waist, or if he even cared. His long braid had been tucked in to his jacket, but she could still breathe in deep and catch the cinnamon sent of his hair, the same sent she had caught when she had been pulled close to him behind the stage. This was truly as close as Kari had ever gotten to Duo, and had to admit that her little crush was growing in to a bit more.

They had since left the suburban areas and only a quick flash of a lone house every so often gave any sign of life among the huge forest pines.

"Duo, how much farther?" Kari asked.

"Not much." Was Duo's short answer. They finally turned on to a hidden paved road, completely secluded by thick trees. When the trees gave way, Kari found herself in awe at the huge house that was hidden here. Five stories, ten acres surrounding it, and a good half-acre in size its self, the house had to be the biggest in the county. It was a mansion!

"Wow…" Kari breathed when Duo pulled the bike to a halt in front of a large garage. The two got off and Duo pushed his bike in to the garage, manually closing the door, "You live here all alone, Duo?" Kari asked as they headed for the front entrance.

"No. It's Quatre's property and we all live here." Duo answered as he unlocked the door.

"Where is everyone?"

"Work." Duo answered with a sigh, "I lost my job because…" he paused, hand ready to push the door open, "because of my temper…" he finished sadly. He shook his head and pushed the door open. The two walked in to a huge living room, decorated in a blue, gray, and white motif with expensive furniture, paintings, and big screen TV with a huge stereo system and large surround sound speakers. There was a huge spiral staircase leading to the upper floors and the ceiling looked like it reached to the sky with its floor-to-ceiling bay windows and sunroof. (A/N: isn't that everybody's dream room? He he he!)

"Holy shit…how can you afford this!" Kari exclaimed, walking around in circles in the living room with her arms out wide. Duo stood back with his arms crossed and a hint of a smile.

"Quatre's fortune pays for most of it, but we all pull our own weight." He answered. Kari stopped spinning and turned back to him.

"You said you lost your job, though." Duo shrugged.

"I get some good pay working weekends at an old couple's farm about a mile down the road. It's some back breaking work, but I'm good for it." Kari smiled.

"I'm sure you would be." Duo shifted uneasily under her gaze.

"Uh…would you like something to drink? We've got sodas." He offered.

"Sure. Pepsi if you've got it." Kari said. Duo walked in to the kitchen, leaving Kari to stare in wonder at the huge house.

"It's so nice here…is it hard to keep this place clean with all five of you living here?" Kari asked.

"Quatre's a perfectionist and a clean freak, so we kinda have to." Duo called from the kitchen. He reemerged with two glasses of Pepsi and ice, smiling as he handed one to Kari, "But it's not like I'm a total slob, despite my looks." Kari accepted the drink with a smile.

"It's nice to see you smile. I'd forgotten what it looked like on you." She said softly. The smile quickly fluttered away from Duo's face.

"It's hard for me to smile any more." Duo explained sadly, his eyes down cast.

"That's what I was hoping you'd explain today." Kari said. Duo didn't look up and didn't answer, "Duo, you can tell me. It's okay. Sometimes it helps to talk."

"You said that before. But…" Duo bit his lip again, still staring at the ground.

"How will you know unless you try?" Kari asked. Duo sighed.

"You might want to sit down then. It's kind of a long story…"

"All right." Kari said, taking a seat on the couch. Duo walked back to the dining room and grabbed a chair from the table, dragging it back with him and straddling it. He leaned his arms on the back and stared at Kari with an intense look.

"You sure you're ready for this?"

"Hit me with all you've got, Duo."

Duo took a deep breath and began his tale…