Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Not as it seems ❯ Chapter two ( Chapter 3 )

Title: Not as it seems

Anime: Gundam Wing

Rating: pg13

Pairings: ? it's a surprise! You'll have to wait & review & then I'll tell you ^_^

Author: gundam06serenity

Summary: One mission, that's all it took, one mission to change it all. He thought he'd been seeing things when he was visiting L2, after all, greif can do that to you. But then, he sees him again at an Oz base...His whole life's been spent trying to avenge him, but, now he's back, and the cause, everything he forced himself to believe in, is falling apart... His team dont know him, dont trust his judgement, he can't trust the doctors, he doesnt know if he made the right decision...When it gets down to it, who will he choose? His so-called friends & team-mates, or his brother & his dream-relationship?

Author's notes: Thank-you for all the reviews!!! Yay! Chibi Solo plushies for everyone!

Last Chapter:

"Well Solo, it looks like it's just you and me again. It's been, what, ten years this day since we went our seperate ways. I miss you, bro. I'll keep fighting for you, no matter what. I'll get them, for spreading that plague, for killing you. How about I visite all our old haunts for old times sake, bro? It's funny, really, now I think about it. The Maxwell Masacre, and your death, the exact same day, barely two months apart. I'm sorry I didnt visit last year, bro, I wouldnt have this year, either, if it wasnt for the good of the mission. I'm sorry, but you see, it's just too much. Too many bad memories, bro, I'm sure you'd understand, just like you did in the old days" Duo wispered, as he dawned his battered black leather trenchcoat, re-ajusting his silver cross, preist shirt and black troussers and black, slightly scuffed shoes, pulling his black baseball hat down over his sad, slightly haunted, wistful violet-indigo eyes.

Chapter Two: What the hell?!

'I wonder how much our old haunts have changed, Solo, do you know? Did you follow me like you said, or are you still watching over the old gang? I wouldnt blame you if you were, I would have, in your place. I promise, I'll go visit them later, Solo, but first, I've got to visit the others...' Duo thought, as he made his way down the familliar streets, the streets that he'd memorised before he could talk, before he'd gotten a name, an identity, a family.

He came to a halt. Looking up sadly, he took in what was before him, a sight he hadnt seen in almost ten years; Piles of rubble lay in heaps, burnt wood, stone, the remainders of a wooden cross, blackened by lang dead flames. All that was left of the Maxwell orphanage.

'Father Maxwell, Sister Helen..... It's been a while, ne? Maxwell's little daemon has returned. I go by Shinigami now. Little death, little daemon, they're gone; I am the god of death now. I'm really sorry, Sister Helen, I tried. I tried to be a good person; I dont lie, I'm fighting for the colonies, I used to pray all the time, but... So much blood stains my hands... I cannot bring myself to believe in a god that would allow such carnage, that would sit back and allow children to starve to death, that would allow humans to oppress other humans like this, that would allow children to fight this war, to kill, to go into a battlefeild day after day, never knowing if they'll live to see another day... I always admired you both, Father Maxwell, Sister Helen, for believing. You believed untill the very end. You believed in your god, you believed in the Catholic Church, you believed in saving a bunch of orphens, you believed in a worthless street rat, you believed that a street rat would come through for you, you believed that if we did as they asked, they'd leave... You believed in me... I did as they asked, but they burned it down anyway... I brought the mobile suit the terrorists wanted, and they burnt it all down, with you, Sister Helen, and Father Maxwell, and all the other children still inside... You died in my arms Sister Helen, giving me Father Maxwell's cross... I promised I'd avenge you, all of you... But I promised Solo first... Who is my enmy? I'm a mobile suit pilot now, father Maxwell, I kill others for a living. Would you have forgivin me? Or would you have condemmed me, as the colonys have? I think you would have understood. I cant say I've made new friends, but I'm trying, Father, truely I am. Even if I cannot survive this war, I can make surethat they do. On that I promise you, all of you...' Duo thought, turning away from one of his first homes, looking around, blinking back the tears in his eyes.

'It's just as I remembered it. Same trash-covered streets, same derilict buildings, same run-down colony run by bent buisnessmen, same street gangs with new leaders and... different homeless kids' Duo smilled down at the little blond girl, no older than three or four, with wide green eyes that had bunped into him, catching her before she fell, eyes wide in fear, clutching a small raggy teddy bear.

"Hey there little one. It's ok; You shoudnt be out here without someone to look out for you, ya know. I know that from past experiances" Duo smiled, reaching into his pocket, pulling out a small candy bar that Quatre had tried to take off of him, pushing it into her small, trembling grubby hands, along with a few crumpled credits. Wide-eyed, she looked up into his eyes, blinking.

"I've been there, too, kiddo. Where's your gang? You do have one, dontcha? It's not safe for you not to have one at your age..." Duo crouched down, tilting his head to the side.

"Hey, get away from her!" A young boy shouted, running at them, throwing himself protectively infront of the little girl. He only looked to be about six, seven years of age. He had long, tangled dirly black hair and angry, protective, feirce indigo eyes.

-Flashback-

"Why dont ya pick on someone your own size?!" A six year old Solo shouted, knive held stedily in his hand, croughing defensively infront of the curled-up, bruised and bleeding figure that was his four year old brother.

"What, like you shrimp? We havent gotta problem with you, kid; just hand the pretty little slut over, and you can walk outta here in one peice." The fifteen year old boy sneered, as his two friends and he advanced.

"No-one talks about my little brother like that!" He shouted, lanching himself at them without a second-thought to his own safety.

-End of Flashback-

"Zwei(1), what have I told you about wandering off and talking to strangers! There're bad men out here!" He hissed down and Zewi, who looked close to tears.

"I-I'm sorry Eine(2)! But I got lonely, and he was just standin here, and he looked sooooooo sad; I wanted to see what was wrong! When I'm sad, you always play with me, and I get happy again! I just wanted to help..." She explained, smiling shyly at Duo.

-Flashback-

"Duo! What were you thinking, wandering off on your own like that?! How many times have I told you, it's not safe to be by yourself out here." Solo wispered, as he washed the trembling boy's knee, wiping the blood and grit from the small gash.

"I-I'm sorry Solo! It's just that I got lonely waiting all by myself, and then I got scared...I didnt think you were coming back..." The violet-eyed boy's voice trembled, eyes welling with tears.

"It's ok, sssh, it's ok. Oh Duo, never, ever, ever think that! I'll always come back for you!" Solo wispered, hugging the trembling boy who clutched desperatly at him.

"Promise?"

"I Promise you, kid. Me and you're gonna be together forever. Where would shinigami be without his sidekick, hey, little death?" Solo teased, tickling the now laughing boy.

-End of flashback-

"Hey kid, you should really keep a closer eye on her; If it's anything like it used to be back when I was a kid around here, it isnt safe for a kid her age, let alone a pretty little girl like that" He smiled down at her, as she blushed and giggled "to be allowed to wander on her own. You should think about joining up with a gang if you're not already with one; They're good protection."

Eine narrowed his eyes, trying to decide whether or not he was trustworthy.

"Hey Enie, look, look! He gave me this! I didnt even steal it or nothin!" Zewi excitedly showed the wide-eyed boy the candy bar and the credits.

"Whatcha want? We dont got nothing." He said, suspitious of Duo's kindness.

"I dont want anything, kid. She just....reminded me of someone I once knew..." Duo trailed off.

"You looking for someone? Me and Eine know lots and lots of people!" Zewi asked excitedly, latching herself onto Duo's leg, obviously deciding that she liked him.

"Zewi!" Eine hissed, scowling at Duo's amused smile. " You knew here?"

"No... I used to live here. Just passing through now, though." Duo looked back at the ruins that had once been the Maxwell orphanage.

"Used to live here, huh? Why the hell'd you wanna come back to L2 if ya got the chance ta leave, huh?" Eine asked, still glaring at him.

"Didnt have a choice." Duo wispered, eyes clouding with a mixture of anger, sorrow and regret.

Eine seemed to freeze for a moment. "Y-you used to like here? As in, here, at the Maxwell orphanage?!"

"Yup. The orphanage, and the streets for a few years." Duo confermed absentmindedly.

"When?" Eine demanded to know.

"Hm? Oh, about ten years ago. Before your time, kid." Duo replied, smiling as Zewi started to play with his coat.

"....Are you....were you... Little Death? Duo?" Eine asked, voice barely above a wisper. Duo froze.

"What?! Who...Who said that?" He asked sharply.

"Are you?" Eine pushed, eyes shining.

".....No, not anymore..... I used to be, once.... I.... It's Shinigami now" Duo smiled down at the wide-eyed look Eine gave him. " Now, who's been talkin' 'bout me? I know sure as hell you're to young ta remember me."

"oh...my...god! You're really him, arent you? I mean, you're you! Everyone knows about you! You're, like, my hero! All of the older kids talk about you like you're a god or something! All of the gangs know about you! Come on, you've gotta come and meet the rest of the gang!" Eine excitedly squeeled, tuggin on Duo's hand, dragging him in a familliar direction; The direction to his and Solo's old gang's place.

Eine and Zewi excitedly dragged him through the crowds of homless kids and teens, none older than twenty one, doding those who leered at Zewi, shouting hurried greetings to those that they recognised.

Duo just smilled slightly, allowing himself to be dragged after the two younger ones, looking around every now and again. 'Just as I remembered it.....'

Duo's head shot round, focusing on the end of one of the allyways, freezing. A blurr of Blond and bright green. "Solo?!" Duo wispered, as the tall figure, hidden in shadows turned, dissapearing as fast as it had appeared. "Solo!"

Thank-you Reviewers:

Chapter one review thank-yous:

Mithros: Yay! You're one of my fav reviwers! And fanfic authors! You'd better update soon! You've reviewed, like, all of my stuff! Yay you! <hands Mithros five-year-old Chibi Solo & Duo promising plushies>

Michelle: Sorry, that wasnt very clear. It was kinda a dream-flashback, and he was in his room. Uh-huh. I'm kinda in an angsty-story writing mood. thanks for the review! <hands Michelle sad Chibi Solo plushie>

Blackland Fire Dragon:........ erm, I guess it's kinda similar to my 'what if' story which never got past the prologue... thanks for the review! <hands Blackland Fire Dragon psychic chibi Duo plushie>

ZmajiGoddess: Yay! glad you like it! Thanks for the review! <hands ZmajiGoddess thoughtful Chibi Solo plushie>

Chapter Two Thank-you Review responses:

phoenix1 : I havent been writing nearly enough in the past few months... I've been getting lazy & been getting destraced by certain other authors (pointedly looks at fieryicicles) who havent been updating enough. thanks for the review, I'm glad you like it so far! <hands Phoenx1 Bad Chibi Wufei plushie>

Windy River : Wow.....a whole seven words! That's lots for you! tehehe, thanks for the review! <hands Windy River Chibi Duo, Solo, Heero & Wufei plushies> Yay! You've reviewed loads of my fics! Thank-you sooooooo much!

Mithros: Thanks again!!!! Yay! You just keep reviewing, dontcha? thank-you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <hands Mithros Chibi Zewi and chibi Eine plushies> Erm, I think I've given you just about every other type of plushie before....

fieryicicles : Spork of doooooom! YAY!!!!!! GRRR, UPDATE DAMN YOU! Tehehe, you've like one of my fav authors!!!! You have to update ! I am! Please?! PRETTY PWEASE? Pretty please with naked Treize-kun and Zechs-Koi on top?....... If that doesnt work, nothing will! <hands fieryicicles pleading chibi Duo and Solo plushies>

ZmajiGoddess: Yay! Another review! Thank-you! <hands ZmajGoddess Chibi happy Trowa plushie>

Wufeisgirl: Hi! Thanks for the review! If you're still interested in beta'ing this story, you can email me at webmaster @ shinigamirocks. zzn. com (without the spaces) if not, thank's for the review!!!! thank-you! <hands Wufeisgirl hentai Wufei plushie>

(1) Zewi means two in german

} like Duo and Solo :)

(2) Eine means one in german