Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Precious Moments ❯ The Gathering of Souls ( Chapter 3 )

Precious Moments

Chapter 3 - The Gathering of Souls

By Angel Love

Author's notes: Okay, I wasn't quite pleased with this, but after changing it and changing it, I finally decided to let you guys have this and let you be the judges. Alas I couldn't find any songs that would fit this chapter, so there really aren't any mood setters. I just listened to my sad, depressing midis while writing this. *shrug* Please tell me what you guys think. Maybe you can tell me how to improve on it.

Standard disclaimers apply. I don't own it, and if I did the guys would probably be even more suicidal.

** The Gardens at Relena's Mansion **

Trowa watched silently as Heero carried Relena into the mansion. But as soon as they disappeared he looked over at Wufei, surprised to see the deep sadness etched into the other pilot's face. He had already thought that something was wrong before, but now he was certain. And for some reason he was a little afraid to find out just what it was.

"What's wrong with her?" he asked quietly.

Wufei turned his sad black eyes to meet the concerned emerald green ones of his friend. He sighed, knowing that the others would ask as well. However he did have Relena's permission for him to be able to tell them if they asked. "She is dying, Trowa," he said quietly.

"WHAT?" a voice sounded behind them.

Both pilots turned to see the pilots of Deathscythe and Sandrock standing there. Duo was the one responsible for the outburst, his eyes holding a look of disbelief, his long braid thrown over his shoulder. Quatre was staring wide-eyed at them, clearly stunned beyond words.

Wufei shook his head. He didn't think that they would arrive all at the same time. Nevertheless it would be easier telling them all at once instead of one at a time. He was grateful that Heero had gotten Relena away from the scene so they didn't have to witness her pain the moment that they arrived, unlike Trowa. Although he knew that they would all eventually see it. It was inevitable.

"What is wrong with Relena?" Duo asked, still clearly trying to deal with what he had just heard, part of him telling him that it couldn't be true. The Dove of Peace could not be dying.

"She has a brain tumor," Wufei said quietly, deciding that it would be best if he just came straight to the point, beating around the bush would just cause them all more pain in the end.

"But..." Quatre stumbled. "There are ways to get rid of it. She can't die from it," his voice was shaking, denial clearly written all over his face.

Wufei shook his head again. "I wish that was the case, but I have read the report from the doctor, as did Heero. There isn't a way to help her. We would have already tried it. Neither of us would willingly watch her go through this much pain and not do anything about it." He closed his eyes trying to block the image of Relena, leaning against Heero gasping for breath, her life slowly draining away from her, out of his mind.

"Heero is here," Duo said quietly, finally it sank in that what Wufei was saying was the truth. If the pilot of Wing Zero was here then it was true. Nothing could bring Heero out of hiding unless it was serious. And Relena being sick was very serious.

"He just took Relena up to her room," Trowa nodded towards the house. Again he turned to Wufei. "Are they really getting married?"

This question brought sputters from Duo and caused Quatre to sit down on the grass, looking very pale.

"Heero and Relena?" Duo whispered, his brain clearly on overload now. He had always known that they loved each other but he just never saw them actually getting together. He remembered Heero telling him that he was afraid of tainting her purity right before he disappeared after the Eve wars.

Wufei nodded.

"It would seem that the Perfect Soldier decided to stop fighting his feelings," Quatre mused. The others silently agreed. "It is too bad that it took this to get through to him."

Duo looked up suddenly. "Has anyone told Zechs yet?"

Wufei shook his head. "Not yet. Relena didn't want to tell him something like this over the vid-phone." The others silently agreed with her decision, it would be hard enough on her without the impersonal-ness of the screen.

"So Wufei..." Duo narrowed his eyes at the Chinese pilot. "Just how did you find out about all of this? It isn't like you and Relena were ever that close before."

Wufei's eyes flashed with pain and self-hatred. "I found her the night she found out," he whispered, then strode away letting the others know that he didn't want to talk about that night or his feelings for the former vice-foreign minister.

***************

** Relena's bedroom **

Relena awoke noticing that it was beginning to get dark outside. She felt a small smile tug at her lips when she felt Heero's arms around her tighten, clearly letting her know that he was aware that she was awake. "Hi," she whispered picking her head up off of her beloved's chest.

"How are you feeling?" his monotone voice was hiding his concern.

"Better," she answered with a smile. His voice hid nothing from her; she could see the concern in his eyes. She hated that she worried him. A part of her wished that she had just left him alone, leaving her to die alone. Except that she had a feeling that even if she hadn't asked Wufei, he would have found Heero and brought him here anyway.

There was no way that she would have been able to hide what was going on with her for much longer. Her constant headaches were affecting her ability to concentrate on anything for very long. Furthermore, lately her headaches caused scenes much like the one that happened earlier. It had been with Paygen's urging that she finally went to the doctor's to find out what was wrong with her. And now she knew that she was dying. Dying before she ever got a chance to really live.

Heero watched the flickering emotions on her face, a face that he hated the thought of saying goodbye to. He vowed to himself that he would make each day memorable for her. However first they had to go down and greet the other guys. If he wasn't mistaken, Quatre and Duo should be here by now.

"Let's go downstairs; we should get you something to eat."

Relena nodded her head and moved to get off the bed when Heero's hand shot out and grabbed her wrist. She looked down at him quizzically.

He just gave her a small smirk before he pulled her down to give her a tender kiss. He was going to make sure that she knew that he loved her before she died, even if he couldn't say the words.

Ten minutes later found Relena cleaned up and heading downstairs with Heero. She stopped when she heard a laugh that she was very familiar with. The God of Death was here. `Kind of ironic,' she thought to herself. Except somehow she didn't think that anyone else would find it so funny, well, maybe Duo would. He did have an odd sense of humor about death.

She paused at the entrance to the living room, looking back at Heero for support. He took her hand in his, kissed it before he lead her into the room.

The talking stopped as they entered. Four faces looked up at them in mild surprise. Wufei had been fairly certain that Relena would sleep through the night, but looking at her, he could tell that she was rested, although a bit tense. He was sure the other members in the room caused that though. His eyes caught Heero's for a moment, a definite indication that the other man wanted to talk to him. He nodded and walked out of the room and waited in the hall.

"Relena, I will be back in a moment," Heero spoke quietly in her ear. "But I will stay if you need me to."

She smiled at him weakly, but the courage that she had always shown was making itself known. "No, I need to do this, Heero. Take care of whatever it is that you have to do with Wufei."

He nodded at her once and walked out the door to talk to Wufei.

Relena turned to look at the remaining three guests. Each was trying to come up with something to say and all looked at her with sympathy in their eyes. Relena broke the silence. "I assume that you all know."

They all nodded. Quatre quickly covered the distance between them and pulled her in his arms. He whispered into her hair, "I'm sorry, Miss Relena. I wish I could do something."

Relena laughed lightly, but it sounded a little hollow. "You can start by calling me just plain Relena." She saw out of the corner of her eyes Trowa and Duo leave the room. She understood what they were doing and she appreciated that. They were letting her deal with them one at a time and not become overwhelmed.

Quatre laughed quietly. "I guess calling you miss has just become habit with me."

********

** Outside in the hall **

Wufei leaned against the wall, his eyes closed, his arms crossed over his chest. He sensed more than heard Heero join him. Without opening his eyes he asked the other pilot, "What did you need?"

"I need you to look after Relena for a few days."

Wufei's eyes flew open, his eyes showing disbelief. "You can't be leaving her already?"

Heero stood silently staring at a painting on the wall of Relena and Milliardo when they were children. "No, I am not leaving her. But I am going to be gone for a few days."

Wufei followed with his eyes to see what caught Heero's interest and suddenly understood. "Let me go. She needs you here, Heero."

Heero turned to face him, watching his friend closely. "You are going out of you way for her, Wufei. Why?"

Wufei looked away. "I don't know. I just know that I want to do everything I can for her. I saw the way she was when she saw that paper. I have never seen anyone look so alone. And the fact is that we all love her. But we were just too busy to show her. Life is too short, Heero. And hers is slipping away before our eyes. I want to make up for the time I wasted."

Heero nodded. He understood what Wufei was saying. He was feeling the same way. "Go. I won't tell her where you went. I think it would be better as a surprise, that way she doesn't get stressed about it. Just let me know when you are bringing them back."

Wufei nodded and walked up the stairs to gather enough things for his trip.

Heero didn't turn around when he heard Duo and Trowa walk out into the hallway.

"Is he going to get Zechs?" Trowa asked quietly.

Heero nodded.

"God speed, Wufei," Duo whispered. "God speed."

To be continued...

*Angel and Trowa pop up*

Angel: Okay, someone asked me if Wufei is going to fall in love with Relena. In some ways, I kinda like the idea, but I am unsure if it would be a good idea, since there is a lot of angst here anyways. What do you guys think?

Trowa: I think it would be a great idea...

Angel: *smiles* Thank you, Trowa. Now will you do your job?

Trowa: *raises eyebrow* impatient today...Angel wants me to thank everyone who has made wonderful comments about this fic.

Angel: *grins* tanky tanky...esp to my HeeroxRelena ml. You guys are the best!

Trowa: She also would like anyone who has any actual medical knowledge of brain cancer to email her at bree101_nace@hotmail.com

Angel: And thank you to Brenda for the great song ideas! But as you can tell I still need songs if anyone has any suggestions please tell me. I'll love ya forever.

Trowa: *deadpan* I am sure they will really want that

Angel: *smacks his arm* Meany! Anyways, tell me what you guys think! Ta!

*Angel drags Trowa off*