Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Burnout ❯ Chapter 20 ( Chapter 23 )

Warning: Hiiro + Duo Ooc-ness. Character Death.

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Chapter twenty

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Sweet music echoed through the metallic halls of Peacemillion. The notes were perfectly played, though the tone sounded melancholy, as if the musician's heart were not in it.

Duo watched as the blonde drew his bow gracefully across the violin's strings, in the darkened room. Quatre had his eyes closed and was swaying to the melody. He seemed to be in a world of his own.

"Quat. . ." Duo asked quietly as the song drew to a close. "Daijoubu ka?"

The smaller boy sighed, slowly opening his eyes. After a moment, he turned and offered a small smile to his friend. "Hai, daijoubu."

"Are you sure?" The braided boy frowned, approaching the other boy as if he were a timid animal that would easily be frightened off. "You seem kinda down."

"I'm sure." The boy nodded, as he gently put his instrument away. "I've just been thinking. . . That's all."

" 'Bout what?"

The other boy fell silent. His shoulders sagged as he merged further into the darkness to sit in front of the window. Staring out, he watched the endless sea of stars sparkle in their brilliance.

"Quat?" Duo questioned, watching the silhouetted form of his friend. The figure moved to wipe at his face, and the braided boy could hear a stifled sob. With a worried frown, Duo approached the upset boy, "Quatre, What's wrong!?"

The blonde shook his head slowly as a glistening tear streaked down his pale cheek.

"Are you sick?" Duo prompted, kneeling in front of the smaller boy. "Is someone else sick? Are you feeling them?"

Quatre slowly shook his head again as tow more tears chased after the first.

"Did someone hurt you?" Duo pressed.

A sob hitched in the smaller boy's throat as he shook his head in response to every question his braided friend threw at him.

"Is it your sisters?" Duo asked, getting frustrated at the lack of cooperation Quatre was giving him. "Did something happen with Trowa?"

Quatre froze. What little color that was left in his complexion drained, leaving him as white as a sheet.

"What?" Duo demanded, "what happened!?"

The boy shook his head again, more tears flooding down his face.

"Quatre!" The braided boy scowled, "tell me. I can't help if I don't know what's wrong!"

The blonde boy chocked on a sob and miserably buried his face into his hands, doubling over in his mysterious pain.

"Quat?" Duo sighed, gently wrapping his arms around the distraught boy, and held him.

"I-I. . . miss him. . ." the boy finally relented, releasing all of his restraints and hesitations. "H-He . . . doesn't know me. . . at all!"

"He knows you!" the braided boy tried to comfort. "Quat! You're the only one he does know!"

"NO-no-no-NO!" the blonde wailed. "He only knows what you've told him! He doesn't remember anything we've talked about, the music we've played, the battles we've fought. . . our friendship. . ."

"Maybe. . . Maybe this is a good thing. . ." Duo began, pausing at his friend's bewildered expression. "I-I mean. . . Quatre. You were unable to tell the old Trowa how you felt. . . Maybe telling him now would be easier. . ?"

"I couldn't!" The boy jumped up, horrified.

"Why not?" Duo demanded, also standing, "without his memories-"

"What if he gets them back!?" Quatre whispered, "He'd realize that I took advantage of him. He'd never forgive me." The boy scoffed, "like he would anyway. . ."

"Quatre. . ."

"Have you talked to Hiiro yet?" the blonde asked, shifting the conversation.

"Nice try, Quat, but we're talking about you and Trowa."

"Same conversation isn't it?" Quatre moved towards the door. "You and I have a secret that we won't disclose?" He paused and looked back at his braided friend. "You know that the upcoming battles are going to be the hardest we've ever fought; and you Know that there are things worse then death. . . Are you prepared to face those things without telling Hiiro?" He frowned, "You were the one who said that was stupid. That if you don't, you'll end up regretting it."

"I also said that Hiiro is nothing like Trowa! You can't compare them!" Duo nearly shouted. "I can't Quat! I just. . ."

The blonde sighed. "Then you are a fool," he said bluntly, before turning on his heel and running from the room.

"QUATRE!" Duo bolted after his friend. "You just don't understand! I can't tell Hiiro!" He reached the hall, but saw no sign of the smaller boy. "I just can't."

"What can't you tell me?"

Duo spun around, his eyes widening. "H-Hiiro. . ." he sputtered, taking a step back. The color drained from his face.

The Japanese boy looked expectantly at the American. "Well?"

"Hiiro-I. . ." Duo shook his head before turning and running down the corridor.

Hiiro watched him for a moment before taking off after him.

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Trowa sighed as he turned the page of photos to look at the next. He smiled softly as he viewed one Quatre had taken earlier in the year when they had had some free time. They had gone swimming.

In the picture, it showed the Chinese boy, Wu Fei, running around chasing the braided boy, Duo, with Hiiro watching; while he was balanced on a tree branch that hung over the pond, preparing to dive in.

In another photo, Quatre was playing his violin. He appeared blissfully content, the smile, which was a rare occurrence lately, lighting up his face. He seemed to be watching something. . . or someone that was out of the picture's range.

The banged boy closed his eyes. The sounds of music filled his mind so that it almost seemed as if it were playing at that very moment.

After a moment's concentration, his eyebrow furrowed into a slight frown. The music he was hearing didn't fit the picture. . . and yet. . . he knew that Quatre had played it before.

His eyes flew open, as a small gasp escaped him.

He knew.

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Duo ran until his lungs burned and his sides ached, and still he could hear the subtle patter of the `Perfect Soldier's' sneakers as he followed. "Le-Leave me- alone- Hiiro!" he gasped out, trying to put some distance between him and his pursuer.

Suddenly, Duo was jerked to a stop and slammed into the wall, knocking the wind out of him and causing him to gag. "Not until you talk to me." Hiiro glared.

"I have nothing to say. . ." Duo groaned, rubbing his shoulder where he had impacted.

The boy's glare deepened, "I find that hard to believe considering you've got something to say about everything."

The braided boy bowed his head so that his bangs covered his eyes and the hint of tears that lay in them. "So I ran out of things to say," he mumbled, moving to leave.

With a growl, Hiiro slammed his hands into the wall on either side of the boy, trapping him.

"What gives, Hiiro!?" Duo demanded, his anger peaking slightly.

"CUT the Crap!" the Japanese boy snapped.

The braided boy gasped. Hiiro was looking at him with an intense expression that Duo couldn't quite name. It wasn't his usual "Death Glare", in fact, he didn't seem angry at all.

It was frightening.

He wanted to run, but his body wasn't listening to the orders his brain sent out. He wanted to break eye contact, but something compelled him not to move. He scarcely breathed. Nervously, he swallowed the lump that was in his throat. He tried to speak, but it seemed as if his voice had deserted him.

Duo had realized several months ago what his feelings towards Hiiro were. He knew that he wanted the other boy to feel the same. He wanted to have Hiiro's attentions. . . but this. . .? . . . This was. . .

Several minutes passed and neither boy spoke, nor did they move.

Finally, Hiiro's head drooped as he let out a deep defeated sight. "Duo. . ." He muttered, allowing his arms to drop to his sides.

Despite being free to go, the braided boy was anchored to that spot against the wall. A single tear escaped his control, outlining his heart shaped face.

Cerulean eyes widened slightly as another tear slipped from the boy's eye. "I. . . I don't understand. . ." he whispered, reaching out to brush the droplet away.

"H-H-Hiiro. . .?" Duo stammered.

The Japanese boy shook his head, the faint trace of a smile on his stoic face. Hesitatingly, he stepped closer to the braided boy, and reached out to him, taking a hold of the boy's hips and pulling the other boy towards him. In a swift, yet gentle movement, Hiiro had leaned in capturing the braided boy's mouth in an unexpected kiss.

Duo gasped in utter shock, and Hiiro took advantage of the boy's open mouth to deepen the kiss. `This isn't happening!' he protested silently, `It can't be! I've got to be dreaming!'

Yet . . . as the kiss progressed, the braided boy found himself melting into the other boy's embrace.

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Hilde hummed happily to herself as she wondered the halls, searching for Duo. She hadn't felt this happy in a long time. Just the thought of being near the braided boy was enough to make her smile for hours and for the pain of her injuries to disappear. She knew deep in her heart that she wanted to be near the boy forever.

Giggling to herself, she rounded a corner in the hall, and was greeted with an unexpected sight.

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Hiiro pulled away from the stunned boy. "I've never been very good with words, Duo. . ." He was saying. "Or emotions. . . they're. . . they're supposed to be a liability. . . but. . ." He reached up to caress the braided boy's cheek. "I can't deny what you do to me. The way you make me feel. . . I. . ."

"Hiiro. . ." Duo shook his head, "don't play games. . . I. . ."

"NO game, Duo," Hiiro assured, leaning down to kiss the boy again. "I promise."

A smile spread across the braided boy's face, "HIIRO!" he exclaimed, throwing his arms around the boy's neck. The soldier looked uncomfortable for an instant; but it quickly dissolved into the kinder emotions that he associated with Duo, and his arms wrapped around the smaller boy, returning the embrace.

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Quatre ran as far away from Duo as he possibly could; and yet, he couldn't escape the jubilant passion that filled his heart.

Tears streamed down his face, blurring his vision. Truthfully, he was happy for his friends, happy that they had finally found each other. But at the same time. . . his own sorrow and longing loneliness was amplified. It tore at his heart and ate at his soul. "T-Trowa. . ." he painfully sobbed, turning a blind corner and slamming into something. With a strangled cry, the blonde felt himself start to fall backwards.

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The girl choked on her breath, stifling her urge to throw up, she turned and fled the scene.

Hearing the sounds of foot steps, Duo glanced towards the area.

"Nani?" the Japanese boy asked, following the boy's gaze.

"Nandemoni. . ." Duo shook his head, "I just thought there was someone there. . ."

"Hn."

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A hand shot out, clasping around the thin pale arm, steadying the owner and saving him from an indignant fall. "You okay?" the blonde's savior asked, pulling the smaller boy close.

Slowly the boy looked up, "F-Fei?" he whispered, before his body twisted in upon itself, a sudden pain marring his face. With a choking gasp, Quatre collapsed against Altron's pilot.

"Winner! What is it!?" the Chinese boy exclaimed, unsure as of what to do.

"Someone's. . ." the boy gasped, "Wu Fei, help me! Someone's gonna. . ." He couldn't breath; he couldn't speak. The familiar feeling of not being in control overcame him.

And then the boy's body relaxed in the other's arms.

"Quatre?" Wu Fei called, shaking the unresponsive boy slightly. "QUATRE?"

Quatre's eyes held a blank stare in them. "This is all his fault. . ." he whispered, reaching behind his back and pulling out a hidden knife.

"QUATRE!?" the Chinese boy tried, shaking the boy again, only to be shoved away.

"WU FEI!?" someone called, running down the hall.

"Stay back, Barton!" the pilot warned, "He's got a knife!"

"Quatre?" the banged boy gasped, horrified as the blonde placed the blade to his own throat. "Quatre, don't. . ."

"This is all his fault. . ." the blonde repeated, the blade pressing against his pale skin, drawing a thin line of blood.

"What the Hell are you doing!?" Wu Fei shouted, his hands clenching in fists at his side.

"It's not him. . ." Trowa shook his head. "It's like the time in Singapore. . . Someone else's despair is controlling him making him mirror their desires. . . He's not in control."

"What do you mean!?" the Chinese boy demanded.

"Someone on this ship is suicidal, and they're causing Quatre to behave this way!"

"Great! How do we snap him out of it?"

The banged boy shook his head, "Quatre! Listen to me!" he pleaded, "this isn't the Quatre I know!"

A brief glimmer of clarity passed the boy's eyes before disappearing once more into the expressionless doll he had become.

"Quatre, I know you can hear me!" the boy stepped closer, "Little one. . . please. . . fight this!"

The blonde blinked once, then twice. His grip on the blade loosened as awareness crept back into his eyes. Frightened, he dropped the knife. "T-Trowa. . ?" he rasped out before his body teetered and collapsed.

The banged boy was there in an instant to catch him. "Quatre?" he prompted, shaking the boy slightly.

The boy's eyes fluttered open, "Hilde. . ." he groaned, grimacing against invisible pain. "She's gonna. . ."

"Wu Fei!" Trowa commanded, gathering the once more unconscious boy into his arms. "Find Sally, Hiiro and Duo. Go to Hilde's room!"

"R-Right," the raven haired boy acknowledged, glancing between the other two pilots before turning and running to do as he was told.

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The banged boy laid the smaller boy onto his bed, and pulled the covers over his shivering body. Frowning slightly, Trowa retrieved a cold cloth to offer some relief for the fever, the boy had developed.

Quatre whimpered when Trowa's hand brushed against his forehead, flinching slightly.

"Quatre. . ." the banged one soothed, "It's alright, Little one." He frowned as the smaller boy began to toss and turn, moaning.

Suddenly, the boy jolted up with a terrified scream. Instantly, arms wrapped around him, offering comfort. "T-Trowa?" the blonde gasped out, his body shaking as he fought to breathe.

"It's alright. . ." the banged boy whispered.

"Hilde. . . Duo. . ."

"Wu Fei is looking into it."

"She's DEAD!" the boy exclaimed, "She killed herself, Trowa! She killed herself!"

"How do you know?"

"I felt it. . ." Quatre sobbed, burying his face into the other boy's shirt, "I felt her. . ."

Trowa held the smaller boy closer, more protectively, as the blonde cried. "Oh, Quat. . ."

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Everyone had to turn from the grisly scene that greeted them as they opened the door to Hilde's quarters. Duo bit back a gagging cry, "Oh no. . ."

Hiiro placed a supportive hand on the braided boy's shoulder, before gently pushing him back and away from the mess.

And it was a mess. It nearly turned the stomach of the stoic pilot as he, Wu Fei and Sally stepped in.

It appeared that the girl had pitched a tantrum, trashing her room before she came across a serrated knife. Blood was everywhere, on everything. She had repeatedly stabbed herself before finally slitting her own throat. Her corpse, mangled and blood-drained, had collapsed on the bed, her vacant eyes forever staring into nothingness.

"This is Sally," The doctor began, talking into a radio, "I need a body bag, and a clean up crew. . ."

"This is injustice." Wu Fei shook his head, "Baka Onna."

"Hn," Hiiro nodded, turning and leaving the room.

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Duo agitatedly paced his quarters, wringing the end of his braid in his fingers. "This is all my fault. . . I should have just told her. . . I. . . "

A knock on the door startled the braided boy. "Duo? It's me."

"Hiiro!" the boy exclaimed as the door opened. The Japanese boy stepped in, and the door slid shut. With an observant glance, Hiiro took in the condition of the other boy. He was distraught, his hair was messed, his skin had lost his coloring, and he looked positively ill.

"Duo?" Hiiro began before he was cut off by the other boy assaulting him with a hug.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" the braided boy cried, "I'm so sorry!"

"Duo. . ." The Japanese boy frowned, uncertainly wrapping his arms around the boy, and holding him, "This wasn't your fault. . ."

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Quatre had calmed down, and was now fighting off sleep. Trowa was still holding him, and the smaller boy didn't want to move and ruin the moment.

"I heard you playing earlier today. . ." Trowa began quietly, his chin resting against the top of the smaller boy's head.

The blonde tilted his head up slightly, watching him through sleep pulled eyes.

Trowa continued. "It was beautiful. . . though it sounded depressed compared to the last time I heard you play that song. . ."

"The last time I played. . ?" Quatre blinked in confusion, his mind drawing a blank as to what his friend could mean. "I haven't played that song in a while. . ."

"Just after we met, actually. . . We played it in your music room of the Maganuac's base. . . You were much happier then. It showed."

"How do you know about that?" Quatre shook his head slightly, "did Duo tell you?"

"No."

The blonde's eyes widened, as he moved to face the banged boy directly. "T-Trowa. . ?"

"I remember."

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To be continued. . .

A/N: GOMEN NE! for taking so long to update!

::begs for forgiveness::

Almost done with the story.

Let me know what you think!

^-^

Weissangel24

P.S. I'll try to update "Family Ties" soon too.