Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Laila Bli Cohav (a night without a star) ❯ Chapter 6

LAILA BLI COHAV

(A NIGHT WITHOUT A STAR)

PART SIX

* * *

Dark storm clouds, thick with rain and charged with lightning, crawled through the dark night skies. Not a star was sparkling up in the heavens, the full moon hidden behind the black covers of mist. Fog flowed down in the valley, the thick mist crawling down the hills and into the small valley; white and blurry waterfalls of vapor spilling down the steep surface. The trees shook and rattled under the strong winds, the drops of rain that covered the tall planes of grass sparkled as lightning lashed through the heavens.

The only sounds around were the swirling winds and the falling of rain. The valley was completely silent, aside from the occasional howling of a lone wolf.

Racing down a muddy road, making its way through the slippery road that twisted and curled as it went further down the hills, was a motorcycle. The roaring of its engine and the sound of the wheels turning against deep puddles of mud, echoed through the valley.

The vehicle skidded quickly down the hills, heading towards the sparkling lights of the base, beaconing in the night. It cut its way through the harsh winds, the rider's long braid flapping violently against the wind. Rain fell down over the rider's black leather clothes, his chestnut bangs of hair wet and sticking to his face. Sharp violet eyes looked forward, a sense of dark malevolence and determination permeating the very air around him.

Duo clenched his hands around the bike's handles, his eyes narrowing as he approached the base. He could see the gate, a few hundred meters away. Two guards were standing there, under a small, makeshift, shelter from the rain. They were armed but they weren't paying much attention to their surroundings.

Duo smiled darkly, driving down the finale curves that lead up to gate. He pressed the gas harder, and the engine roared.

The guards looked up, startled.

Duo chuckled to himself, reaching up a hand to push his damp bangs aside. Driving down the rest of distance between him and the guards, Duo put his best Joker-mask on, and came into a quick halt, the bike turning and splattering mud and water everywhere. He killed the engine and jumped off the bike, flipping back his water-soaked braid.

The guards looked up, startled, as Shinigami approached them with determined steps, carrying a box in his hands.

Duo grinned, waving his box at the guards. "Pizza delivery!"

* * *

Lightning cut through the skies, and the roar of thunder rolled through the valley. Heavy rain crashed against the roof and windows, making a loud noise as it descended. The downpour of rain fell onto the large tiled roof, pouring down like a large waterfall, the water sliding down the glass of Heero's bedroom window.

Heero lay on his side, facing the window, his eyes closed in sleep. A thick blanket was tucked around his thin body. The room was dark and silent, aside for the sound of rain against the window.

Lightning lashed through the darkness again and Heero's eyes flew wide open. He flinched at the loud roar of thunder, and then sighed. He reached a hand up from underneath the covers, reaching for the silver chain that dangled down from his neck, the cross lying over the bed. He closed his hand around the delicate cross, taking a deep breath. His blue eyes looked around the room, noticing that it was empty. Everything was quiet. Too quiet.

Heero sighed and closed his eyes. Duo promised that they'd be back soon. How long ago was it? How long did he sleep? He cursed at his condition, feeling bad for sleeping all through the week. He had completely lost the sense of time. He didn't even know what day it was!

But Duo promised that they'd be back soon, so he probably didn't sleep for long. He wondered where they went. Probably something to do with the mission. Duo didn't say anything. At least, he wasn't sure that he did. He was so out of it when Duo came into his room, saying that the four of them were going out for a short while. His mind was so dazed, barley functioning, so he just nodded and went back to sleep.

Heero coughed, and then smiled slightly to himself. He tightened his hold on the cross, looking up at the window, following the downpour of rain with his eyes. Duo had given him his cross. Heero remembered him whispering something about how it will protect him when he was gone. Or something like that. He wasn't sure. He was too sleepy. But nevertheless, it made him smile, remembering the shine in Duo's violet eyes as he held his hand and brushed his hair aside, promising to be back soon.

It was so odd how he was getting so used to Duo's touch. A few days ago, he could barely stand the company of the loudmouthed boy. But now, it was different. He had discovered a whole new side to Duo. He got to see past the joker-mask. He got to see the real boy behind Duo's smile.

Heero chuckled to himself, shaking his head. Usually, people said it about him. He had heard the other pilots talk about it. Hell, even that Relena chick was always insisting that his soldier pretense was just that, a mask. But he already knew that. Everybody wears a mask, why should he be any different? And why would Duo be any different? He was just happy that Duo allowed him to see beyond that clown-mask. And in return, he had decided to take off his mask for Duo. Which, he had to admit, was inevitable, with the high fever and all. It was getting harder to keep in control. He barely remembered all that he said, but he was sure that it was more than he would have said if he were in his right mind.

Heero coughed loudly and shivered. It was getting colder. He pulled the blanket higher, chills running through his body. He took a few deep breaths, and then coughed again. The small cough soon turned into a loud coughing fit. Heero's gasps and throaty coughing filled the room, as the boy's slim body shook on the small bed.

Eventually, he calmed down, and slumped tiredly onto the bed. He sighed, closing his eyes, exhausted. He felt something wet slid down his chin, and opened his eyes again, puzzled. He reached up a trembling hand, wiping the liquid off his chin. He brought two fingers up to his face, and his blue eyes widened.

Blood.

He had coughed out blood.

That's probably NOT such a good sign...

Sighing, Heero closed his eyes, letting his hand drop down to the bed. He tightened his hold around the silver cross.

He was running out of time.

But he had to make it. Duo promised just a little longer. He will try. He had to try. For Duo, he will try.

Heero rolled over in his bed, coughing in the dark.

Outside, the storm continued raging.

* * *

Duo smirked at the two stunned guards, coming to stand right in front of them, looking up at the two older men with fearless amethyst eyes. He was a head shorter than the two guards, but he didn't let it count as a disadvantage. He was seven times deadlier than them.

"Pizza delivery?!" One of the guards exclaimed, looking up at his friend in question. "Were you informed about this?"

The second guard just shrugged.

The other guard sighed and turned back to Duo. He frowned. "So, uh, where's Nick?"

"Oh, he called in sick today." Duo answered casually, pushing a few wet bangs of hair aside. He smiled slyly at the guard. "My guess is that the bastard had himself a date..." He winked, poking the guard with his elbow.

The second guard chuckled. "Ha! That would be Nick alright!"

The other guard seemed to relax, and looked down at Duo's package, easing his weapon down. "So, what have you got for us?"

Duo smiled and reached down to take a small piece of paper out of his pocket. "Let me see..." He muttered, brining the wet piece of paper up to his face. "I got an order here for one, uh..." He shifted the wet paper in his hand, trying to make out what the scribbled letters said. But the paper was wet from the rain; the ink leaking down and the words couldn't be read. He shrugged helplessly, grinning inwardly at his little act, and turned to the guard. "Maybe you guys can make this out?" He said with a sigh, handing the paper up to the man's face.

In the corner of his eyes, he caught a small movement, and he smiled slightly to himself as he managed to catch a glimpse of a small blond head sneaking in the shadows. He turned back to the two guards, who were currently busy at looking down at the paper.

"No, can't understand a word." One of them said, sighing. He handed the paper to Duo. "Damn storm... you don't remember who placed the order?"

Duo shook his head. "Hey, I'm just covering up for my buddy Nick while he's shagging with some gal, ya know?"

"We're sorry, we can't let you stay if you don't know who ordered this." The second guard let out apologetically. "Maybe there was a mistake. In any case, you'll have to go back."

"Go back!?" Duo exclaimed, voice angry. "I just drove about a billion miles through a fucking storm and you're telling me to go back!?"

"Sorry." The guard let out, preparing to turn away. Duo's eyes widened when he saw he was about to walk to where a few certain figures where tiptoeing through the dark.

"HEY!" He called after him, and the guard whirled back, startled. Duo growled, stalking over to the man, waving an accusing finger up in the air. "Lets make one thing clear here, mister! I am NOT leaving until someone takes this God damned pizza! I did NOT drive down here for nothing!"

"Okay! Okay! You know what, we'll take it!" The other guard grunted, reaching for the box.

Duo smirked and whirled around to face him. He stretched out his hand impatiently, his foot tapping against the muddy road. He glared up at the guards, his face angry. "That will be sixty five dollars and twenty nine cents." He smirked. "And that does NOT include the tip for driving down to this hellhole!"

The guard's face paled. "Sixty... five... dollars and twenty nine cents?!?!?!" He looked up at his friend, smirking. "Um, maybe you should pay this time."

"Nah, it's okay. You can pay."

"No, no I insist... you can pay..."

Duo smirked to himself as the two began fighting over the money, glaring down at each other and not paying much attention to the three figures who slipped silently through the gate.

* * *

The windows suddenly flew wide open and a strong wind crashed into the room. Sharp drops of rain were blown in by the wind, wetting the pink carpet and hitting Heero's curled up body on the bed. The Japanese boy sighed, and opened his eyes. He turned around slowly to look at the window, and his eyes gazed numbly at the curtains as they flipped violently under the strong wind, wet from the heavy rain.

The cool drops of water were blown straight into Heero's fevered face, and the boy indulged himself with the cool feeling.

Lightning stroke and thunder roared, and the dark room was filled with a blinding flash of light. Heero's eyes looked up again, and then widened as he spotted the girl standing by the window. Again the bright blue flash and Heero gasped at the frightening sight of the little girl. She was standing still, her white dress flipping in the wind, her fists clenched and her hazel eyes piercing. She was looking down silently at Heero, her pale face darkened by an ominous and cold glare.

Heero swallowed and pushed himself up, sitting on the bed and panting. The thin white fabric of his shirt was quickly getting soaked with water, his messy bangs of dark hair swinging left and right under the strong wind. He locked his gaze with the girl's dead eyes, returning her piercing gaze in a calm silence.

Again a flash of lightning, and the girl's eyes suddenly darted down, looking sharply at the shiny object that dangled down Heero's neck, thin drops of rain glistering in the flashing blue light. She slowly turned her gaze up, looking at Heero in question, though her gaze was still icy.

Heero reached to cup the cross in his hand, slowly looking down at it. He looked up at the girl again.

"It's from Duo."

The girl did not respond, and only took a few steps forward, nearing the bed. She stopped right in front of Heero, slowly reached her small hand up. She took hold of the cross, examining it from every direction.

Heero watched as she ran her small fingers over the delicate cross, running the pad of her forefinger up and down the silver object. Her gaze was sad and forlorn, as she carefully wiped away a few drops of rain off the cross.

And then she forcefully ripped the cross off his neck.

"Hey!" Heero called, startled. "That's not mine! Give it back!" He exclaimed, glaring down at her. He reached to take it away from her, but the girl quickly pulled away, jumping out of his reach, still glaring at him.

"Give! It! Back!" He growled, launching towards the girl.

But she just jumped out of the way again.

Heero fell down to the floor, face down.

He coughed weakly, again spitting out some blood. He moaned miserably, wiping his mouth. He just continued lying there, breathless, rain pouring down over his fevered body. After an endless silence, Heero looked up at the girl, panting, unable to push himself off the floor. "Please give it back. It's not mine..." He whispered hoarsely, his cobalt eyes pleading with the girl. "Please?"

The girl looked down at him sadly, still holding the cross in her hand. She slowly walked to Heero, and kneeled down in front of him. She reached down for his hand, and Heero flinched when he felt her icy touch. He briefly wondered why he could now feel her touch, but then he was distracted when the girl put the small cross in his hand, closing his fingers around it.

He looked up at her, puzzled, and was captured in the endless hazel of her eyes.

The girl smiled sadly at him, still holding his hand in hers, pushing his fingers down against the cross.

"This is where you'll find me."

* * *

"I don't care who'll fucking pay! I just wanna get out of here already!" Duo roared, glaring up at the two guards. The two idiots were still fighting over the damn pizza, yelling and arguing like there was no tomorrow. All around them were curious soldiers, who came to see what was the commotion all about. They were all looking very amused by the little incident, chuckling to themselves and watching with great interest.

Duo was giving his best show at being stubborn and boneheaded, not letting the guards get away without paying. He whirled around to their small 'crowd', pointing up an accusing finger.

"Now look ya all! I KNOW that one of you bums ordered this pizza, so just be a God damn man and step out!" He shouted, glaring at them one by one.

The soldiers just chuckled and shrugged. Some shook their heads.

Duo fought the urge to smirk at the situation. "Don't just stand there and stare you idiots! Someone come and pay for the God damned pizza!"

It was no big surprise that no one volunteered.

Duo growled. "I'm warning you! If one of you ain't gonna come and claim this pizza you will lose your free drink! There will be NO free drink privileges for you! Uh uh! Not at all! Now come and take the damn box already!"

Again a few chuckles, as Duo continued to get nothing but blank stares. He rolled his eyes. Gee, you would think that someone would have done something by now... Ch! Stupid OZ...

He caught a small movement in the corner of his eyes, and carefully looked up. He could see Quatre's hand wave his way, and his grinned inwardly. Mission accomplished, Heero. He thought with a smirk and then snapped his head up, glaring up at the guards.

"Fine! You know what?! Take it! I certainly don't need it! Sixty five bucks is not a price one would stand in the rain for!" He snorted, shoving the pizza box into the men's hands. He then stomped over to his bike and climbed up, glaring at the soldiers around.

"But you can forget about the free drink!" He called, starting the engine. "There would be NO free drink for you tonight!" He spat, and the engine roared. "Good! Bye!"

Baffled, the soldiers looked up at the crazy teen as his motorcycle sped off into the night.

"HEY!" One of the guard called, startled.

All pairs of eyes darted back to him, and then a loud roar of laughter echoed through the crowd as they realized that the guard was standing there, holding an empty box in his hand.

Duo's motorcycle raced through the night, the roar of his engine echoing in the valley.

Hold on, Heero. Duo thought as he raced up the hills, the bike cutting through the storm. Just a little longer...

* * *

He was dying. Heero knew that he was. He could feel it. He could feel the end of his being as it neared, his life span slowly dripping like the sand in the hourglass.

He continued lying on the floor, his hot body enjoying the feeling of the cool floor, as rain dripped down from above, soaking his clothes and wetting his fevered skin. He was wearing only a pair of boxers and a white T-shirt, and so his body was already shivering violently from the cold. His eyes were closed, his cheeks flushed with fever, his breath slow and shallow gasps.

"I'm dying, aren't I?" He whispered huskily, glazed blue eyes looking forward at nothing but air.

The little girl, who was sitting down next to him, slowly nodded her head.

Heero sighed and then suddenly chuckled bitterly, closing his eyes. "Maybe I'll get to see her face after all..."

The girl let her gaze down sadly.

"Do you think... do you think she'll want to see me?" Heero whispered feebly, and then coughed. "I've been a bad boy..." He let out with a sad sigh, casting his gaze down sorrowfully.

The girl kept silent, her gaze sad.

Heero opened his eyes and looked up at her. His features softened in compassion. "You miss your mother too, huh?"

The girl slowly nodded.

Heero smiled sadly, reaching his hand up a little and rested it compassionately on her thin arm. "You never told me your name..." He whispered, looking up at her with shimmering cobalt eyes.

The girl turned to look at him, startled.

Heero's smile slowly faded. "Do you mind telling me your name? I... I never knew her name... that girl... she never told me her name..."

The little girl nodded silently in understanding, raising her hand up and putting it over Heero's hand. She smiled down at him kindly, though her eyes were sad and bitter. "You have to hurry up, Onii-san. There isn't much time."

Heero coughed and looked away.

"Please, Onii-san. You have to find me. I want to go home."

Slowly, Heero raised his head up, tearful cobalt eyes looking up at the girl thoughtfully. After some time, he nodded his head and coughed, trying to push himself off the floor. He panted in effort, his arms trembling as he used them to support his weight, pushing himself up. Finally, after much effort, Heero sat down on the floor, panting and looking down at the girl's expectant hazel eyes.

Lightning flashed and thunder roared. Heero whirled his head around and looked up at the window. His deep blue eyes examined the dark heavens for a while, until a jolt of lightning distracted him from his thoughts. He sighed and took a deep breath, turning to face the girl. He smiled at her gently.

"I'll get you home. Your mother's waiting."

* * *

"We're back!" Duo's voice rang throughout the dark halls of the large house, wind and rain pouring in as the front door was opened, the four pilots rushing into the safety of their shelter.

"I'll go set the gear." Wufei stated, running over to the kitchen, a large bunch of equipment in his hands.

"I'll go look for more candles." Quatre muttered, following Wufei.

"Duo," Trowa's voice came softly behind the braided boy. "We'll need another sample."

Duo nodded and rolled up his sleeve. "Sure."

The two walked into the kitchen as well.

Outside, lightning lashed through the sky and the winds howled.

* * *

The minute he was done in the kitchen, getting about half a gallon of blood drained out of him, Duo ran out of the dim room, skipping two stairs at a time as he sprinted up to Heero's room. Still in mid-run, he flung the door open and stormed into the room, his wet braid flying wildly behind him.

"Heero! We're back!" He called, breathless. He stood in the middle of the small room, panting, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. Water was dripping down his wet bangs, his black clothes also soaked. He narrowed his eyes, trying to get a good look at the bed, but it was too dark.

A flash of blinding blue and Duo's eyes widened.

He ran over to the bed and threw the covers aside. His eyes widened. The bed was empty. And there was blood on the pillow.

Breath frantic, Duo whirled around to look around the room, anxious violet eyes searching in the dark.

But the room was also empty.

Another flash of lightning and Duo's head snapped into the window's direction.

His eyes widened again and he gasped.

The window was wide open. The wooden window shade creaking as they tossed violently back and forth.

Panicked, Duo ran over to the window, leaning down over the wooden windowsill. He cursed as he saw a small and rusty ladder, leading down to the ground, swining and creaking under the strong wind.

"Oh FUCK! Heero!!!"

Without second thought, Duo ran out of the room.

* * *

The wind howled, playing a vicious game with the defenseless trees, rocking them back and forth, laughing as they caved and bent under her assault. The leaves were hanging on to their branches as for dear life, flinging back and forth. Some lost the battle and were violently ripped from their tree, swirling and dancing wildly in the strong currents of wind.

Sharp rain poured down like daggers, crashing to the ground and mud, dozens of puddles splattering water as the drops descended down forcefully. Up in the dark skies thick clouds of rain collided, creating a blinding display of lightning and a low rumble of thunder.

The tall grass that covered the hill swayed from side to side, the dark green meadow resembling a raging ocean.

A pair of bare feet touched down on the muddy ground, cutting their way through the stormy chaos. They sunk into a deep puddle, long white legs getting soaked with mud. But they carried on.

Heero made his way down the hill, struggling against the storm. His arms were raised up in front of his head, shielding his face from the freezing wind as he walked. His clothes, completely soaked with water, clung onto his skin, making him uncomfortable and cold. He was shivering wildly, teeth chattering as he forced himself to carry on. His wild bangs of hair were wet as well, sticking to his face, his glazed blue eyes hidden behind the thick brown curtains. He pushed them aside, grinding his teeth as the sharp and freezing wind hit him in the face like a million needles.

"Ah--hh!!" He let out weakly as he fell, his knees giving way, his body unable to keep walking. He hurried to put two hands in front of him, stopping his fall. He continued sitting there, on his knees, supported by two trembling arms. He panted and coughed, blood splattering down to the muddy ground.

He felt her small hand rest gently on his trembling shoulder, and slowly turned his head up, glazed blue eyes staring at her numbly.

The little girl smiled, reaching another small hand down for his hand. Heero followed her hand with his eyes, and the blue orbs slightly widened as he discovered that he was still holding Duo's cross, his fist clenched around it as if his life depended on it.

Carefully, the girl took the cross out of his grasp, and slid the chain over his neck, closing the metal fasten. She then turned back to look down at Heero, and smiled compassionately, her eyes begging him.

"All right." Heero rasped, pushing himself up with a groan. "Lets go." He said, and took the girl's hand in his.

The girl smiled and nodded her head.

They continued making their way through the rain, the girl leading Heero through the dark night.

* * *

"HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The front door was violently pushed open, and Duo's voice rang through the storm, swallowed by the strong wind.

"HEEEEEEROOOOOO!!!!!!!" He called out desperately, running out of the house and into the storm. "CAN YOU HEAR ME, HEERO?!!!!!!"

"Duo!" Quatre called after him, running out of the house as well. "Duo! What happened?"

"It's Heero! He ran off somewhere!" Duo explained, shouting over the wind.

"Oh no!" The blond boy exclaimed, a hand over his heart.

"HEEEEEEEEEEROOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Duo screamed from the top of his lungs, running deeper into the storm. "HEEEEEEEEEEEEEROOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" His clothes, which still hadn't dried from his last trip in the rain, were immediately soaked again. His braid suddenly felt heavy under all the weight of the water, and it tapped forcefully against his bottom, flying up and down as he ran. "WHERE ARE YOU!!?!!!"

Quatre hurried to join the search, running in a different direction from Duo, also calling out Heero's name.

In the dim kitchen, Trowa and Wufei worked furiously on the cure.

"HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEROOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Part 7.

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