Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Cries of an Undead Soldier ❯ Temporary Life ( Chapter 3 )

Chapter Three

Temporary Life

 

Une took a nervous step back, eyes rather wide as she just looked at Treize. To her, it was as though he had risen from the grave and was simply a ghost, a figment of her imagination. It seemed so unreal, so unlikely, and yet there he stood. Perhaps he wasn't in all his former glory, but it was Treize, she could tell despite his messy hair and very uncharacteristic clothes.

 

“I'd better be going.” Treize turned his head to look at Duo, nodding softly and smiling slightly.

 

“I'm sure you have better things to do than listen to us babble Duo, it may be in your best interest to leave.” Duo stared at Treize for a moment, unable to believe the civility of those words and the way Treize spoke them as though he were one of Duo's friends. Duo allowed a bright grin to light his face and then he bounded from the room, closing the doors behind him with a sharp snap. “Is he always so bright and energetic?” Treize had turned back to Une, smiling slightly.

 

“That's Maxwell for you, always bright and cheery.” Une motioned at a chair and then seated herself, watching Treize take the indicated chair. “Treize…the entire world…the entire United Nation believes you died.” Treize chuckled softly despite the fact his eyes were deathly serious.

 

“I was dead Lady Une…they sent me back.” Une seemed taken aback and even a little disbelieving, but Treize forged onward with his explanation. “You see, I have more or less been in what can only be termed as limbo since my death. Nobody, not even I, was sure whether I belonged in Heaven or Hell.” Treize calmly closed his eyes, remembering what it had been like to be in limbo, having no place whatsoever to go. “So they said they would give me two months to try and redeem myself and sent me back to earth, alive. If I succeed and redeem myself, I shall get a place in Heaven. If I fail…I shall burn in Hell.” Treize was smiling slightly, though Une saw no reason for him to do so.

 

“I'm not the only one who missed you Treize.” She leaned across her desk slightly, almost sadly watching her ex-commander. Treize nodded softly, his smile broadening ever so slightly.

 

“I know…Chang was at my grave earlier.” Une nodded softly, since it was the four-year anniversary of Treize's death and Wufei paid his respects on that day and that day only.

 

“There are others Treize. Dorothy Catalonia…and Mariemaie…”

 

“Mariemaie…?”

 

“She claimed to be your daughter and tried to become Queen of the World, saying she was fighting for your beliefs. Relena and I finally got through to her…then the war ended. I took Mariemaie under my care. I wasn't sure if she truly was your daughter but…” Treize raised a hand to forestall Une, his head bowed and his unruly bangs shadowing his eyes rather well.

 

“Lady Une…I have no daughter…my child was only the war I nurtured.”

 

“Treize, you were fighting to gain a peace…a peace Treize! Peace was achieved and your fights were not in vain! The world has become more in peace than I ever would've believed!” Treize saw a shimmer of tears in Une's eyes and it made him smirk slightly.

 

“Do not tear up on me now, Une, I need some help. I need a place to stay and a way to earn some sort of income for the next while. Can you help me?” Treize met her gaze and Une nodded softly.

 

“I think I have an idea for lodgings…as for income…Preventers work?” Treize thought for a moment about the job offer, looking around himself at the office and trying to decide what he wanted. Preventer work sounded just fine…

 

“No desk job though, I want field work.” Treize smiled and Une returned it, nodding her head. “Now, what is your idea for lodgings?”

 

“I just have to call a few agents, give me a moment.” Une flipped on her COM unit deftly and smiled as Duo appeared on the screen. Treize heard the braided man's voice and chuckled softly.

 

“Well hey boss! Something you need?”

 

“Maxwell, come to my office, and please bring the others…all of the others.”

 

“Well…okay…we'll be there shortly. Maxwell out.” The link went dead and Treize gave Une a measuring and questioning look, but his reply was just a calm and knowing smile.

 

“Treize, please go stand by the window, my agents will be only a moment.” Treize paused before nodding and rising from his seat and strolling over to one of the large windows, standing in the shadows with his eyes turned to the sky and his hands clasped behind his back. He waited in silence, Une doing the same thing while relaxing in her seat. A loud knock soon sounded on the door and, without asking who was there, Une called the people into her office. Treize didn't turn around, but he quickly heard Duo's voice.

 

“Well, what is it you want us for boss? Some big mission that we need big briefing on?” Une just laughed softly, motioning at the half-circle of chairs that were set on the opposite side of her desk. The seats were promptly filled, well, all but one. Heero had not sat down and was staring at Treize, ignored by the others. Treize felt eyes on him and he smiled softly. Ah…Heero Yuy…I'm sure you did not miss me. After all, I placed you in the cockpit of the Epyon, which nearly conquered you…didn't it? Treize smirked slightly and listened as Heero sat down in the open seat. Une spoke now.

 

“There is no mission Maxwell, but I have a request of you five. I am aware of the fact that you all live on one of Quatre's nearby estates and I also know that there are several spare rooms that are going unused.” She looked around the five ex-pilots, eyes pausing on Quatre and Wufei most of all. “I have a friend I would like you to welcome into your home for a little while. He'll be working here and I was hoping you can show him a few of the ropes.” Treize smiled and decided to speak, cutting off the words Quatre was about to say.

 

“I know the ropes, I simply must learn how to untie the knots placed in them.” There were two surprised gasps, one soft grunt of surprise, and then utter silence. He had six pairs of eyes on him, which included Une's, and it made him smile. Before anything more could be said, Wufei was on his feet, the chair toppling over with the speed he had risen with, and his eyes were locked on the broad back.

 

“Who in Hell are you?” Wufei's fists were clenched tightly at his sides. He was halfway between scared and angry, his emotions torn in two because of it. He recognized the voice…but it just couldn't be him…

 

“Has four years done that much to your memory, Chang Wufei?” Treize still didn't turn around and felt Wufei's eyes boring into his back. His head was bowed, eyes closed as he spoke only loud enough to be heard. “Or must I show you a face to put a name to?”

 

“Who. In. Hell. Are. You?” Wufei broke the question up, snarling softly and finding it hard to keep his composure. Half of him just wanted to pummel the back that he was staring at and the other half of him just wanted to snuggle up to it in fear, in a search for protection and strength. With a soft sigh, Treize shook his head.

 

“If I must, I must.” Treize slowly turned around, speaking as he did so. “I…am Treize Kushrenada.” His eyes searched the faces of the five pilots. Duo didn't seem bothered, which was expected since the braided man had brought him here. Trowa and Heero, as usual, seemed impassive, though there was, perhaps, a tiny flicker of fear in Trowa's visible emerald eye. Quatre seemed somewhat terrified and, as his blue eyes fell on Wufei, he watched the young Asian stumble backwards, shaking his head numbly.

 

“No…you…you're d-dead!” Wufei pointed a finger almost accusingly at Treize, tripping over his fallen chair in his attempt to back further away from Treize, despite the fact the were already separated by about half the room. Treize stopped his smile from forming and instead looked calmly at Wufei.

 

“It needs explaining and I am willing to do so if you are willing to listen, Wufei.” Treize's voice was calm and he couldn't help but be thankful that all the others remained totally silent while they watched the tiny war going on between Treize and Wufei. Wufei continued to just numbly shake his head, eyes as wide as saucers. Quatre's eyes were locked on him in concern.

 

“No…you're dead! YOU'RE DEAD!” With one more fearful meeting of Treize's eyes, Wufei turned and ran from Une's office with all speed. Quatre was on his feet in an instant, tugging Trowa with him.

 

“I don't think it'd be a good idea to have Treize stay with us, Lady Une. I'm sorry, but we have to go after Wufei!” Quatre and Trowa dashed after Wufei, Quatre's voice echoing back into the office. Treize looked at Une with a small smile.

 

“It's okay Lady Une, I can find an apartment. I thank you, at least, for the offer.” Treize turned to leave the office, but he found his arm held in a vice-like grip and looked to find Duo at his side.

 

“Wait a second Treize! I'd tell you why he's acting like that, but I don't even know. I think it has something to do with these dreams he's been having, but I don't know. You can stay with us…you'll just have to keep out of Wufei's sight…” Treize met Duo's violet eyes for a moment in thought, searching the depths.

 

“That shouldn't be too hard. I may not be an ex-Gundam pilot, but I handled the Tallgeese and I too was trained, albeit it a while back. I thank you, Duo Maxwell.” Treize placed a hand on Duo's shoulder briefly before turning to Une. “Is there anything I will need for working here?” Une was smiling, though her eyes appeared worried.

 

“A uniform, Maxwell can take you to get one, and that's about it. Yuy, brief him on what Preventers is all about sometime today. Dismissed.” Heero nodded and rose to his feet, remaining passive as the braided man gave him a bear hug.

 

“Yay! We have a new bunkie He-chan!”

 

“Hn.” Treize gave Une a look that read, `I'm just going to love this' and then headed for the door.

 

“Are you two coming?” Treize motioned towards the door and watched as Duo bounded towards it, dragging Heero behind him. Treize looked back at Une again, bending slightly to pick up his bag once more. “Thank you again Lady Une, I am glad to see you did not react as Wufei did.”

 

“I very nearly did Treize. It's good to see you again…if only for a while…”

 

“It's good to see you again as well.” With that, Treize bowed slightly and left the office, closing the door behind him to follow Heero and Duo down the corridors. For two months…he'd be alive and living a brand new life that he never thought he could have…Treize sighed softly, not happily nor sadly, just sighed, and continued to follow the two ex-pilots.

 

***

 

Wufei ran as swiftly as he could down the corridors, dodging easily past people who got in his way, and ignoring every shout Quatre threw his way. Treize was dead God damn it! He wasn't about to move in with him and the other pilots! Treize was dead! HE WAS GOD DAMNED STONE DEAD! Six feet under! Wufei closed his eyes for a short moment and, when he opened them, found he had reached a dead end.

 

“Damn it!” He cursed and spun around to find Quatre and Trowa upon him, each grabbing one of his arms and quietly leading him to Trowa and Quatre's office.

 

“Take it easy Wufei…” Quatre soothed softly, ignoring the strange looks they were getting as they escorted a rather distressed Chang Wufei away. Wufei kept looking around for an exit, some form of escape, but he felt Trowa's grip tighten around his upper arm and knew he'd be unable to get away no matter what.

 

Wufei found himself steered into the office shared by Quatre and Trowa and pushed into one of the seats. Quatre sat beside him while Trowa sat behind the desk, leaning forward to look at Wufei, who looked everywhere but at his two friends.

 

“Wufei…why would you react as such?” Wufei didn't look as Trowa spoke to him in a low voice that was near a whisper.

 

“He's dead.” Was all he said in reply, his tone firm and affirmative. He was trying to reassure himself more than anything. Treize was dead, long gone and six feet under. Wufei went to his grave once a year faithfully and paid his respects. Was that just a ghost come to haunt him? No, because everybody else saw him. It wasn't a ghost…but Treize was dead. “He's dead…” Wufei said again, his voice a harsh whisper. He felt Quatre's arm slip around his shoulders and squeeze slightly.

 

“Wufei…are you scared?” Wufei turned eyes filled with outrage on Quatre, his mouth turning into a firm frown.

 

“Chang Wufei, scared?! I'm insulted Winner!” Wufei snorted softly. “I am no silly onna, I am not scared.” Once again, he was trying to reassure himself. Wufei was scared, but far be it from him to admit it to anybody. “He's dead, there's nothing for me to fear.” He heard Quatre sigh and release him. Thankful for that, Wufei rose and headed to the closed door. Just as his hand touched the doorknob, Trowa spoke.

 

“I don't think it's him you fear Chang…but your own emotions.” Wufei just grunted softly, opened the door, and left without a backwards glance or second thought. Trowa's words were stuck in his head, but he shoved them into a box and locked it up, throwing away the key. Emotions created weakness and Wufei was not weak, he did not fear anything…