Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Childhood Reborn ❯ Bastian ( Chapter 8 )

Over the next few days the villagers of Cache du Monde were still suspicious of their injured guests, but Jacinda said no matter how they felt, to at least treat the boys kindly. Dr. Ridge was in twice a day to check their progresses while Jacinda brought up meals, clean clothing, and slight entertainment. She figured they would be restless with all their time spent in bed, so she brought up some old puzzles and games. Since they were still confined to bed rest, she decided the last thing they needed was to be bored and go stir crazy. Still the days turned into a week and each boy showed signs of improvement.

 

One early morning however Trowa awoke feeling like there was a weight on his chest. He opened his eyes and jumped in shock when he saw too dark eyes staring back at him.

 

“What in the..!!” He started.

 

“Hello!” The voice interrupted. Trowa could now see it was a child. “I'm Bastian…what your name!?”

 

Trowa still in the process of waking up just stared wildly at the boy. He had dirty blonde hair that was pulled back like Wufie's and deep brown eyes. He was wearing a t-shirt and shorts and smiling up at Trowa.

 

“Who…what…” Trowa started.

 

“I'm three…how old are you?” The boy continued to babble.

 

Meanwhile his squeaky voice began to wake up the other pilots.

 

“Mmm…not so loud Trowa.” Duo said as he turned over in his bed.

 

Trowa just growled.

 

“It's not me…wake up!” He yelled to Duo and the other pilots.

 

The other pilots were annoyed that they had been bothered out of such a peaceful slumber. Wufie glared when he saw what had caused the commotion. The little boy looked over at Wufie, smiled, and waved.

 

“All that because of a child!?”

 

“Would you rather he'd give you the wake up call he gave me?” Trowa said. “The kid was practically crushing my lungs.”

 

Heero meanwhile just shook his head while Quatre and Duo were grinning at the cute youngster.

 

“Mama says you our guests.” Bastian said. “Do you like to play…I got lots of toys! You wanna play with me! Mama says you are still getting better and not to bother you, but when I'm sick in bed, I still like to play!”

 

Trowa sighed, he really wanted the boy off his bed and would have lifted him off, had his arm not been busted up.

 

“This is my bunny.” Bastian said holding up his toy. “I had him since I was real little. Mama gave him to me. Here you hold him.”

 

“Uhhh…” Trowa said blushing as the boy thrust the toy into his good hand. That did it, Duo collapsed back onto his bed laughing. Quatre tried to stifle his chuckle and even Heero and Wufie were grinning at the sight of Trowa holding a stuffed toy.

 

“Bastian!” A voice bellowed from downstairs. “Bastian where are you?”

 

Bastian immediately jumped up causing the bed creak and awaken some of the pain Trowa had been having.

 

“Uh oh…it's Mama.” He said. He hopped off the bed and scurried about the room. “I gots to hide.”

 

“Bastian!” Jacinda's voice came closer.

 

Bastian decided the best place to hide would be behind the curtains next to Quatre and Duo's bed.

 

“Shh…don't tell Mama.” He said to the pilots as he hid himself behind the curtain just as Jacinda popped her head in.

 

“Well good morning.” She said cheerfully to the pilots. “I'm glad to see you are all up already.”

 

She then eyed the room a little.

 

“Say you guys haven't seen a little boy, bout this height with a blonde ponytail have you?”

 

Before they could respond Jacinda noticed the bunny a blushing Trowa was holding and then eyed the curtain by Quatre and Duo's bed and saw two pairs of socked feet under it. She grinned as did the boys.

 

“Nope, haven't seen this kid.” Duo said. Quatre shrugged a smirk on his face. Heero, Trowa, and Wufie remained silent.

 

“Why Trowa, what a cute bunny you have!” Jacinda said. “I seem to remember this missing boy having a bunny just like that.”

 

Trowa blushed even further.

 

“Well since no one has seen him, then I guess there are more chocolate chip pancakes for us then, I'll be right back.”

 

She winked and walked out of the room just as Bastian popped out.

 

“CHOCOLATE CHIP PANCAKES, WAIT MAMA!”

 

“AH HA!” Jacinda jumped back in the room. “GOTCHA!”

 

Bastian squealed and began to run about the room trying to escape, however before he could reach the door Jacinda grabbed him with one arm. He was squirming and fussing.

 

“Thought you could get away with that one huh?” She said looking down at her boy. “What did I say to you, Bastian?”

 

“Not to go in this room.”

 

“And what did you do?”

 

“Went in the room.”

 

The pilots couldn't help but chuckle as Jacinda scolded the boy. Jacinda looked up at them and was glad to see even Wufie and Heero, her tough ones, smiling a little.

 

“Then why did you disobey me?” Jacinda asked as she put him down on the floor and crossed her arms.

 

The quivering lip started and Bastian shuffled his feet.

 

“C-cause they been in bed this whole time!” He said. “They haven't even played outside…I just wanted to play with them!”

 

Jacinda rolled her eyes.

 

“But I told you they needed to rest, that maybe they will play when they get better.” She said. “Now I don't know if you should have cereal instead of those pancakes.

 

“But Mama, whenever I'm sick you still play with me!” He said. “They have no one to play with. I sorry.”

 

Jacinda sighed as her boy began to sniffle. Even Duo couldn't help himself from hearing those sniffles.

 

“Heyya Jacinda don't go hard on him.” He said. “The kid just wanted to hang out with us. He even shared his bunny with Trowa and he likes animals.”

 

“DUO!” Trowa said embarrassed.

 

Quatre pulled out a notepad Jacinda had given him while his throat was healing and wrote.

 

“He didn't bother us at all.” He had written. “We would love to play with him when we get better.”

 

“WINNER!” Heero and Wufie both scolded. Neither was a fan of kids that much.

 

Jacinda shrugged and leaned down to the boy's eye level.

 

“Okay Bastian, you're forgiven.” She said patting his head. “I know you just wanted to make them happy and that was a nice thing, but you should have asked Mama first. So promise me that you will ask me next time or else you will be in big trouble.”

 

Bastian hiccupped.

 

“I promise, but can I still visit them when they are in here?”

 

Jacinda looked up, Quatre was nodding, Duo shrugged while Heero, Trowa and Wufie just looked on somewhat nervously.

 

“Well, if it's okay with them then its okay with me.” She said. “But you better be careful with them, just bring in your coloring books maybe since they are still getting better.”

 

“YAAY I'll draw them lots of pictures.” He said happily. “Can we have pancakes now?”

 

Jacinda looked down at her son and laughed.

 

“What's the magic word?”

 

“Pleeaaasee.”

 

“Yes you may, go on Mrs. Weist should be serving them now.” She said ushering her boy out of the room.

 

“Does that mean we still get watered down mush?” Duo asked unable to stop his stomach from craving the delicious smells coming from downstairs.

 

Jacinda smiled.

 

“Well I dunno.” She said. “Are you guys are up for some solid foods?”

 

“YES PLEASE!” Duo begged. “FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PLEASE!?”

 

Heero glared at Duo's antics, but inside he felt himself laughing.

 

“Maxwell's stomach knows no bounds.”

“Nor do his manners.” Wufie uttered.

 

“Hey what's with the picking on me?” Duo said. “How can you guys be so cool with eating nothing but liquids and cardboard crackers for a week straight?”

 

“We've done it before Duo.” Trowa said. “You're the only one who gives out after a certain period of time.”

 

“Well excuse me for being a growing boy.” Duo said.

 

“Or having a growing gut.” Wufie chimed in.

 

“Hey what's that supposed to mean Wufee!” Duo said smirking.

 

“It's Wufie!!!”

 

Jacinda found herself nearly doubled over with laughter. She looked over at Quatre who was also trying to not laugh too hard because his throat was still pretty bad.

 

“I think your friends are starting to go a little stir crazy huh Quatre!” She said.

 

He nodded and smiled.

 

Jacinda leaned her head out the door and hollered for someone to bring up their breakfast of yes pancakes. She then went over to Quatre and examined his throat; it was still very red and irritated.

 

“Mmm as much as I would love to give you some real food there angel, it looks like you will still be on the liquid diet for now.” She said to him. “I'll put some solids on your plate, but don't force yourself if it hurts too much.”

 

Quatre nodded and smiled. In the first few days he had some of coughing up blood. Jacinda sometimes heard him in the middle of the night and would stay by his side helping him then settle him back down. She would then go over to Trowa and assure him that everything was alright. Each boy at some point wanted to go over and help Quatre, but found some sort of difficulty getting out of bed fast enough. Jacinda always beat them to the punch. It was also what helped Heero lessen his suspicion of her the way she helped out Quatre. Jacinda, however, noticed that out of all them, Trowa was the one who wanted to be by Quatre's side the most.

 

“I'll tell you what.” Jacinda said. “How about after breakfast you all get some fresh air! I'll take you on a tour of the village!”

 

“Definitely!” Duo said as the food was brought in. Quatre also agreed by nodding. The others just shrugged and seemed fine with it.

 

“Great!” Jacinda said happily. “I'll bring some crutches for you Wufie for your leg…unless if you are too tired you can just lean on Siero. He'd be more than glad to help. The same with you Heero with your sprained ankle.”

 

Wufie shook his head.

 

“I don't need any help…I can manage just fine on my own.” He said.

 

“I as well.” Heero said.

 

Jacinda shrugged.

 

“Okay then…eat up boys and I'll have someone bring you some fresh clothes and yeah some pants too…he he. Let us know if you need any help.”

 

All the boys blushed…remembering that they all had been wearing just long shirts and boxers for the last week.

 

It took about an hour and some grumbling, but soon all five pilots were walking out the front door of Jacinda's house with Jacinda, Siero, and a few other villagers behind them making sure to be right by their sides in case of a fall.

 

“Whoa…nice place.” Duo said as they walked down the road. It was a simple dirt path with small houses and trees jutting from all sides. Each house seemed to have a garden full of flowers, fruit and vegetables. The sun was shining brightly and the air was crisp and cool.

 

“It isn't much, but its home.” Jacinda said. “No place else I'd rather be.”

 

“You have no technology here?” Heero asked.

 

“Not the kind you all are probably used to.” She said. “We just have the basics. Phone lines, some electrical wirings for like tv's and stuff. I guess you can say we decided to stay old school.”

 

“About a couple centuries old school.” Trowa pointed out.

Jacinda laughed.

 

“We mostly live on what the earth provides us.” She said. “We grow most of our own food; water is supplied through the streams and through wells in the village. We do use some compounds that Dr. Ridge barters to make sure everything is clean and sanitary, but other than that, it's all off the land, even our medicine, unless we need something more drastic.”

 

They had turned onto another path where a group of children were playing being watched by another adult. They recognized one of the children as Bastian.

 

“MAMA!” The boy noticed and ran to her. She leaned down and scooped him up in her arms.

 

“Hey kiddo!” She said hugging. “You are having fun with your friends?”

 

“Uh huh.”

 

“Hello Hester!” Jacinda said as a little girl came over to them. “How are you today?”

 

The girl blushed shyly.

 

“I'm good.”

 

The woman watching the children came over to them.

 

“Hey, Berta.” Jacinda said. “Hope my boy isn't causing you any trouble.”

 

The woman named Berta shook her head.

 

“He's been very good today Ms. Jacinda.” She said then eyed the pilots. “And I see that your visitors have finally made their grand appearance. They look much better.”

 

“Berta watches a lot of the children here in the village.” Jacinda said. “She babysits Bastian sometimes including when you guys were held up. Bastian, say hi to Heero, Duo, Wufie, Quatre, and Trowa.”

 

Bastian waved to each one as she pointed them out and they waved back.

 

“Can they play with me yet?” He asked.

 

“Mmm…not just yet sweetheart, but you can go off and play with your friends while Mama shows them around okay?”

 

“'Kay!” He said and Jacinda put him down and he grabbed Hester's hand and off they went.

 

“You do realize that Hester may call you Mama herself one day.” Berta said giggling. “Those two are hardly apart when they play.”

Jacinda made a face.

 

“Please, let me get through his teenaged years first before that even happens…yikes.” She said. “I'll be by to pick him up later Berta!”

 

Berta nodded and let them go off on their way.

 

“Ms. Jacinda can I ask you something?” Wufie asked after being deep in thought.

 

“Sure.”

“Where's your husband?”

 

“Oh I don't have a husband.” She said. “I've never been married.”

 

Wufie was a little surprised by that remark.

 

“But what about Bastian's father, I mean pardon my observation, but he hardly looks like you.”

 

Jacinda laughed.

 

“Well I never did get to meet his father.” She said.

 

Now the boys were a little surprised. Jacinda looked at their faces and giggled.

 

“I guess I should explain.” She said. She found a spot of logs and everyone had a place to sit as she told her story.

 

“When I first started Cache du Monde, the Alliance was in full force, destroying everything in their path. Though I guess that hasn't changed much. Anyway, the destruction of many places both on Earth and in the space colonies brought dozens of refugees over. Many of the people here are Alliance refugees.”

 

The boys listened intently.

 

“One day, after a fierce OZ attack a swarm of people came in from the woods. They had been traveling for weeks, having hijacked boats and planes, anything to get away from the carnage. As we started getting people situated, a couple of people, including Siero here were hauling a large cart. On this cart was a woman, heavily pregnant and severely injured.”

 

“Her name was Lore Pulo.” Siero interrupted. “When my town got attacked, I went off with a group of refugees and met Lore. She was a real sweet woman. Her husband, Gere, had joined up with a rebel group intent on stopping the Alliance from anymore attacks, needless to say, he had been killed leaving her all alone.”

 

Jacinda patted Siero's shoulder.

 

“Lore was in a lot of pain and needless to say the minute we got her up to a room, did her water broke and she started having bad contractions. They went on for hours. We tried to keep her calm and treat her wounds when the contractions would cease, but we had no real anesthetics at the time that wouldn't pose any danger to the baby nor did we have the tools to perform a C-section. I have been trained as a mid-wife, but not in obstetrical surgeries. Even though we tried to contact Dr. Ridge for some help he was extremely held up.”

 

“Where was Dr. Ridge?” Heero asked.

 

“He was treating some severely wounded at another house. The attack and the long journeys had been horribly brutal. So being the tough woman she was, she rode it out, and hell we were glad to let her scream, and yell as much as she wanted, who could blame her? Finally, sometime in the middle of the night her water broke and she was able to start pushing. She was already so worn out, but somehow she found the strength. Within half an hour the baby's head crowned, and then out he came into my arms.”

 

Jacinda grinned remembering the squirming, crying, messy baby in her bare arms.

 

“Man, was he adorable.” She said. “And had a set of lungs like you wouldn't believe, but Lore however wasn't doing too well, she was bleeding very hard and her breathing was irregular. Ridge finally came in and examined her. She was hemorrhaging terribly and he spent awhile trying to stop the blood flow. Apparently her pelvis had been injured during the battles and thankfully somehow she was able to make it to our village, very sick and bleeding internally, but made it nonetheless. But by that time, there was no hope for her.”

“Did Lore ever get to see her baby?” Quatre wrote after a few moments of silence.

 

Jacinda nodded with a small smile.

 

“She did.” Jacinda said. “It was about an hour or two before sunrise and we brought the baby over to her. He was all clean and warm and Ridge and I saw no signs of trauma in the little guy. So I brought him to her and she opened her eyes as I placed him on her belly. She smiled and touched him. He even opened his eyes for her. She then asked me, if I could do her a favor, if I could take her son and raise him as my own.”

 

The boys eyes widened.

 

“She believed that there would be no better place for her son then with me and my village. Even though I began to protest, she wouldn't hear it. She even gathered some strength and took my hand and practically begged me. She wanted her son to be healthy and happy and she believed that we could provide for him.”

 

“That's one hell of a decision.” Duo said.

 

“You're telling me.” Jacinda said. “I mean yeah I was a trained mid-wife, but have never been a mother before obviously. There are big differences in that. But seeing her and that beautiful little baby, I didn't have the heart to refuse. I told her I would love and care for the baby as he was my own son and with that Lore passed, but with a content smile on her face and the baby on her belly.”

 

Jacinda wiped her eyes a little feeling them become a little misty.

 

“And so, that's how I became Mama to Bastian. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Motherhood ain't no picnic, there were some tough times, but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I'm a very lucky woman having him; I only wish his Lore could see what a great little guy he's growing up to be.”

 

“I'm sure she is.” Wufie said with a slight smile.

 

“Where did you come up with the name Bastian?” Trowa asked. Jacinda's face suddenly fell.

 

“Oh..uh..Bastian..it was..just a name I always liked that's all.” She said nervously. “Hey you guys are getting pretty tired I'm sure…let's get you back to the house.”

 

She got up and began to help the others back on their feet. Wufie couldn't help but notice the distant look in her eyes, but decided not to ask. Heero on the other hand did.

 

“What was that about?” He whispered to Siero. The man just sighed.

 

“It's a subject that she doesn't like to get into.” He said.

 

“What do you mean?” Duo asked. “There's more behind Bastian's name?”

 

“Obviously it is if she got all weird like that.” Trowa pointed watching as Jacinda walked with Quatre and smiling with him as they met with other villagers.

 

Siero shrugged.

 

“Look guys, there are some thing's that you probably don't want to tell us about and it's cool.” He said. “So, there are also things Jacinda doesn't feel comfortable airing. You don't have to be suspicious of her though, she really is a good person. But she has had her own troubles in the past.”

“Like what?” Wufie asked.

 

Siero shook his head.

 

“If she wants to tell you, she will.” He said. “Other than that, just let it be for now, okay?”

 

The pilots could only nod in response, but their minds were spinning with curiosity.