Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Reputations ❯ part 4 ( Chapter 4 )

REPUTATIONS

PART FOUR

* * *

"May I be excused?" Duo asked quietly, looking up from his uneaten meal.

"No, you may not." Joanna answered sharply, glaring up at the teen across the table. "Finish your meal."

Duo sighed, looking back down at his dinner. He picked on it with his fork, making a face. It wasn't that it was disgusting or anything, it's just that he wasn't hungry. All he could think of was that here he was, with a plate full of hot food in front of him, and Heero was somewhere out there, probably still hungry. It just wasn't fair, and it made him loose his appetite.

"Can I go watch TV?" Tracy's little chirping voice asked sweetly.

Joanna turned to examine her plate, and once she saw the girl was done, she nodded her head. "One show, then shower and bed."

"Okay!" The girl called happily, sending her big stepbrother a smirk before getting up and running got the living room.

Once the small girl was out of sight, Joanna leaned two elbows on the table, resting her chin on them, glaring at Duo.

Duo just avoided her glare, still playing with his food.

"I want an explanation."

Duo sighed quietly, putting the fork down. "I didn't do nothing."

"We agreed you'd be home at eight on school nights." She looked down at her elegant wristwatch. "It's now a quarter to nine." She looked back up at her adopted son, leaning back in her chair, pushing a few stray hairs that managed to escape her tight ponytail. "Why were you still at school?"

"Oh, so now you're complaining that I'm in school for TOO long?" Duo snarled.

"No, but if I recall the last time you stayed at school till late," She said back coldly, folding two arms over her chest. "It is not a good sign. What were you up to, Duo? I better not get a call from miss Reed tomorrow!"

"I didn't do nothing! I was---" He took a deep breath, trying to calm down. There was not much point in yelling at Joanna. It only made matters worse. Duo sighed, calming down. "I was helping someone."

"Who?" She asked skeptically.

Duo shrugged. "Just some guy from my class. He sprained his ankle in PE; I took him to the nurse. I waited with him until his uncle came to pick him up." He finished with a mumble, looking down at his fidgeting hands.

At that genuine confession, Joanna's features softened and she sighed lightly. "I was worried about you, that's all." She let out quietly, looking down as well. "You tend to disappear sometimes, I have no idea where you're going. Ever since you... I just worry, that's all." She finished with a sigh, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "All I could think of was- what if her ran away again? What if something happened to you? You're outside all day, hanging out with those... those thugs, I just don't know what to think anymore..."

Duo swallowed, guilt stirring up inside of him again. He didn't dare to look up, for he was sure he would see her crying. He struggled to contain his own welling tears, but they overwhelmed him. He sniffed his nose, wiping the tears away with his sleeve. "I'm sorry, Joe." He whispered after a while.

"I know. I know. You're always sorry..." The woman sighed, getting up from her seat. She prepared to leave, but just before she did, she turned around, leaning one hand on the table, looking down at Duo's bowed head. "I just hope that one day, you'll see how much potential you are wasting by hanging out with them." She shook her head, sighing sorrowfully. "I hope you'll learn to appreciate what you have, Duo. I really hope so."

Again Duo swallowed, wincing at the memory of the man driving the black Lincoln.

"Now clear the table and do the dishes. We'll continue this some other time."

Duo looked up, watching Joanna leave, her whole demeanor downcast and depressed. He sighed deeply and began washing the dishes.

* * *

Heero hadn't showed up in school the next day, nor the day after. Duo looked for him, but there was no sign of the boy. He even missed the physics test, something that was very unlike the boy. Duo did miserably in that test. He couldn't ignore the empty chair two seats to his right, and he felt empty inside because of it. It was empty; Heero's seat was empty. He wasn't there and that fact disturbed Duo greatly. He couldn't concentrate on the test. Not that he had studied, he couldn't concentrate on that either, knowing something must be wrong with Heero.

After physics, Duo and The Gang made their way to the cafeteria. Duo couldn't stand to be there, too much guilt and bad memories, images of the starved and unconscious Heero flashing in his mind. Regret. It was killing him. And he knew he had a lot more to regret, because Heero was missing and that was NOT a good sign at all.

He didn't bother to listen to the stupid sorry-excuse of a conversation the guys were having. He was lost in his own brooding. Halfway to the cafeteria, Duo suddenly halted, face covered with resolve.

"What is it, man?" One of the guys asked as he nearly bumped into him.

Duo didn't answer. Instead, he turned around. Glaring up at Jack.

"Man, what's gotten into you?" Jack snorted, looking down at the braided boy. "The cafeteria is like THAT way!" He snarled, pointing ahead.

"I'll catch ya guys later." Duo said coldly and marched past them, towards the principal's office.

The group just snorted and continued walking.

Duo burst into the principal's office, and was quickly stopped by her secretary.

"You can't come in there!" She called.

"I want to speak with the principal."

"Miss Reed is at her lunch break right now."

"Then I'll just wait here." He stated, slumping into a chair, hands over his chest.

"But---" The bewildered woman mumbled, looking around for an excuse. "She has meetings all afternoon long, and..."

"It's all right, Flora. I'll see him." The principal's cold voice called from the door, as she stepped out of her office. She glared down at Duo. "Funny to see you here, Maxwell. Why won't you come in?" It was polite, but cold. Very very cold.

Duo just ignored it and stomped into the office, pushing past her.

Reed closed the door behind her.

Getting straight to business, Duo turned around and looked coldly up at the woman.

"I did it."

Miss Reed didn't even look surprised and just calmly walked to her desk. "I know you did."

"I want you to bring Heero back."

At that, the woman arched an eyebrow, confused. "Bring him back? From where?"

"He was expelled! I want to take his punishment. It's mine."

The woman smirked, leaning back in her chair, legs cross, her long fingers twisting her pen around. "I know it's yours, but Yuy was not expelled."

"Then where is he?!" He was more worried than angry now, and he took a seat in front of her large desk, trying to keep himself from fidgeting.

"At home, I suppose. Maybe out of town. I know his uncle has to be out of town, maybe he had taken him with him." She leaned forward now, two elbows resting on the desk, her cold eyes looking straight into Duo, mocking him. "I never thought a troublemaker like you would develop a conscience." She smirked and Duo had to keep himself from growling at her. "It's odd..." She continued in slight amusement, leaning back in her chair. "In all my time here I had never seen someone so overwhelmed with guilt. Not to mention worry over someone like Heero..."

This time, Duo really did growl. She was getting on his nerves. How dare she say something like that?! And on Heero nonetheless! She should be thankful for having such a great student, such a great person in her school! Fucking bitch!

"Well," Reed suddenly called, sitting up quickly. "Lets see what we can do to make you atone for your little stunt..." She turned to her computer, punching in some keys. Duo could see she was scanning through phone numbers, probably looking to call Joanna.

A few calls were heard from outside the office and Duo could hear Flora, the secretary, shout at someone.

"Miss Reed! Miss Reed!" She called and the principal groaned in frustration. She pushed her chair back and glared at the door. "I'll be right back. You stay right here!" And she stomped out of the office.

Duo frowned, looking at the partly open office door. He could hear the principal yell at someone. He looked back at he computer, then at the door again.

"If I catch you sneaking around the girl's locker room one more time..."

With no second thoughts, Duo launched at the computer and typed in quickly. He glanced up nervously at the door, but he couldn't see Reed, only hear her. He whirled back to the computer. The result was now flashing on his screen. He quickly grabbed a pen, jotted down the information, looking up at the door all along.

"This school does not support peepers like yourself!"

Duo quickly shoved the piece of paper into his pocket and launched back to his chair.

Just then, Reed stepped back into the room, closing the door behind her.

"Now, where were we?"

* * *

It wasn't hard to guess, he was expelled. He took his backpack and rushed out of the school as soon as possible, clutching onto that piece of paper all along. Once out on the main street, he looked down at it and read the address he had scribbled. He had NO idea where the street was, so he took a cab.

He was surprised when the taxi stopped at the outskirts of the small town, in front of a large house, which seemed more like a mansion to him. He stepped out of the cab, just gaping at the large, three-story house. He recognized the black Lincoln parked in an open garage. It was definitely the place.

"Ch! No money my ass..." He growled, walking up to the house, his backpack with him. He noticed that while the house had a very expensive look, at a closer glance, it seemed poorer. The garden was neglected, the paint was peeling off the walls, the wooden window shades were cracked, and so were part of the walls. The house looked abandoned, like no one lived there for a long while, but Duo knew it wasn't true. The place was just untaken care of.

He marched up to the front door, taking a deep breath to calm himself down. He gathered all the courage he could muster and reached up a shaking hand to know on the door.

No answer was heard.

Duo frowned. Reed did say that they were out of town. Maybe no one was home? But what was the car doing there?

Duo reached up and ran the bell.

Again, there was no result. Only silence answered.

Duo bit down his lower lip and looked back at where he came from. The street was completely empty. Silence ruled this distant part of town. Not even the birds were singing.

Suddenly, Duo could hear a small whine coming from somewhere near. It sounded like a cat. He turned to look to his right, and smiled a little as he saw a white and furry cat, sitting on the stone banister next to him, studying him.

"Hey there little fella. You don't happen to know if anyone's home, now do ya?"

The cat whined again, jumping off the banister and into the bushes.

Duo frowned. "Hm, been nice talking ta ya..."

Again the cat whined and looked up at Duo, as if expecting him to come. Duo frowned and looked around, uncertain. No one was around to see him... and a small peek never hurt anyone...

"Meow..." The cat whined again, gesturing at the direction of the back yard.

"Fine... fine... I get the message!" Duo whispered harshly, jumping off the banister himself. He followed the cat to the back yard, thinking all along that he must be crazy for doing that. Crazy, but still, he had to. He knew Heero was there. He could feel it.

The back yard was even worse than the front. It looked like a junkyard or something, the vegetation growing wild. Duo stayed close to the wall, not wanting to wander off too far, or he might get seen by the neighbors. He followed the cat all the way to a small hole in the ground, leading under the house.

The cat whined again and crawled down the hatch.

Duo frowned and kneeled down, peering down the hole.

"Oh man! This is what you brought me here for!?" He whispered in anger, seeing the white cat crawl over to where a bunch of kittens were lying. He rolled his eyes as the cat looked at him pleadingly, and whined. "I'm sorry, fur-ball, but I ain't got 'nough food ta go around! I got one sandwich and I plan to eat it myself soon, sorry."

The cat whined again, begging, nuzzling its head in his kittens.

"Oh, I know, but you don't know how it's gonna be. I can't go back home for dinner ya know! Joanna will KILL me once she find's out I was expelled!"

"Meow..."

Not wanting to hear any more of this, Duo got up. He shook his head, sighing at the total waste of time that was. He prepared to walk back to where he came from, when suddenly, his foot bumped into something.

Duo cursed silently, and shoved a few bushes away with his foot. He saw that he had bumped into a bunch of large bricks lying on top of each other. He looked up a little and saw a small window, about two feet or so over his head. It seemed to lead into the laundry room or something, for that was the only logical conclusion, taking in mind that all the pipes and all were around.

The white cat emerged from its lair and crawled over to Duo, nuzzling its head against his leg.

But Duo was too busy to notice that. He quickly took a hold of one pipe attached to the wall and climbed up on the small brick pile. He peered through the open window.

He was right about it being the laundry room. He could see the washing machine and the drier right across the window. The window was pretty high up, and it also had bars on it, which made it harder to see. The room was pretty dark; there was no other source of light but the window. Duo narrowed his eyes, standing on his tiptoes, trying to get a better view of the room.

He looked over to the left, and his eyes widened a bit as he saw an opened sleeping bag lying close to the wall, a pillow and a discarded wool blanket lying on top of it. He then looked to the left, and as his eyes trailed past the washing machine again, he could see it had books and other school accessories lying on top of it. Some books were also lying scattered on the floor.

Duo changed position a bit, so he could catch a glimpse at the right side of the room. His eyes widened again and he gasped. There, lying on the floor, lighted by weak candle light, was Heero. He was wearing his school uniforms, lying on his stomach, legs up high, a pen in his hand and he was reading/writing in some book.

Duo's eyes widened even more when he saw that the boy's hands were handcuffed and bruised. The shock caused him to waver a little, and he had to hurry up and grab a hold on something before he fell down. Unfortunately, his little foot maneuvering caused one brick to slide down from the top of the pile and fall down with loud clatter.

Duo closed his eyes tight and cursed silently.

"Who's there?" Heero's voice called uncertainly.

Duo held his breath, attaching himself to the wall beneath the window. He didn't want Heero to know he was spying on him.

"Is so-someone there?" Heero's weak voice called again, faltering as if he had just been crying.

Duo closed his eyes and held his breath when he heard Heero step closer to the window.

"Meow..."

Duo snapped his eyes open and looked down in fear. He saw the damn cat jump up the pile and walk around and between his feet. He tried to kick him away, but the cat just whined again, using Duo as leverage to jump up to the window.

"No! No! Shit..." Duo whispered, trying to grab the cat. "You'll sell me out fur-ball!" He growled silently.

The cat ignored Duo's poor attempt to grab him and just walked behind the bars, towards the open window.

"Meow..."

Fuck! Duo cursed mentally, closing his eyes again. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

"Hey kitty..." Heero's quiet voice suddenly called in somewhat amusement.

Duo's eyes snapped open.

"I didn't hear you coming..."

Duo turned around, still close to the wall, and looked up. He saw Kitty, on the windowsill, nuzzling her head against one pale, thin and cuffed hand. Duo winced as he saw the welts around the slender wrist, and felt his eyes fill with tears.

He watched as Heero played with the cat a little, petting her, ruffling her furry head and scratching under her chin. The cat seemed to enjoy it and rubbed he nose against Heero's palm, licking him.

Heero chuckled silently, and Duo's heart skipped a bit. It was the most beautiful sound he heard a long while. Heero sounded genuinely amused by Kitty's game.

"Meow..." Kitty whined pleadingly, nuzzling Heero's hand. "Meow..."

"Oh, I'm sorry Kitty." Heero spoke with regret, voice suddenly shaking. "I don't have any food today... I'm sorry."

"Meow?"

Again Heero chuckled, but it sounded more like a sob this time. "I think you should find some place else to get food for your kittens, Kitty. I'm sorry. I--- I don't think I'll... I'll have any... any food for... for some time..."

Duo flinched at the utter heartbreak and despair in Heero's broken voice. He wiped away his own tears as he heard Heero sniff his nose. He was also crying.

Heero petted the furry white cat regretfully, letting her play with his trembling fingers. "I can't take care of you anymore... I'm sorry Kitty..."

"Meow..." It actually sounded like Kitty was trying to offer him comfort. She was nuzzling her furry head into the palm of his hand, trying to console the sobbing boy.

Heero chuckled bitterly at her attempt. "Yeah, thanks Kitty. But you better go back to your kittens now... I hope I'll have some food for you next week..."

Duo swallowed, looking down in shame. And here he was complaining about not having dinner for one night! He could have spared his sandwich for the kitten's sake. Heero hadn't eaten in a week and he was willing to do it. Again Heero had proven to be stronger than he.

But he couldn't spare the sandwich for the kitten's sake. He had something more important to do with it.

"C'mon, leave. I got some things to do..." Heero reassured the cat with a weak smile, petting her one last time. "Go on, I'll be fine. Go on..."

Duo watched as the cat bounced off the windowsill, not before sending one last look at Heero. She then jumped down, and once she landed, she glared up at Duo, and disappeared into her whole.

Duo ignored her and turned back to open his backpack.

Inside the small and dark room, Heero returned to the floor, looking down at his book and sighing. The sound of falling debris made him look up again, and he jumped up towards the window.

"Kitty?" He asked, looking around, unsure. He saw no one around, but then again, the window was higher than he was and all he oculd really see were the skies. "Kitty?!" He called again, reaching up two cuffed hands, trying to look for her. He didn't feel her around, but instead he felt something else; also soft, and small. He felt it with his fingers for a while, standing up on his tiptoes, trying to get a better hold of it. At last, he grabbed it and brought it into the room.

His eyes widened and he gasped, shocked to see what he was holding.

A sandwich.

Heero's head shot up and he gaped at the window, completely stunned.

* * *

Duo rushed home, and stormed in through the front door, swinging his backpack over his shoulder. He hurried to run up the stairs and to his room.

"Duo Maxwell, you drag your ass down here now!" Joanna's pissed off voice shouted from the bottom of the stairs.

Duo ignored her and continued walking up. "Not now, Joe!"

"Don't you fucking tell me 'not now', boy! I got a call from Reed today!"

Duo rolled his eyes. "Later, Joe!" He called angrily, slamming his bedroom door behind him.

"Duo Maxwell! I am NOT done with you!" Joanna roared, stomping up the stairs.

"He locked his room, mom!" Tracy called from her own room.

Duo cursed his traitorous sister, pulling out a chair and sitting in front of his desk.

Joanna banged on his bedroom's door. "Open the door, Duo! Open it right now!"

"I said later, Joe!" He yelled back, switching on his computer.

Joanna just banged harder. "If you won't open this door right now, Duo, I swear to you that you will NOT come out of this room for a week!"

Duo winced, the memory of Heero's cuffed hand flashing in his mind. His featured covered with determination and he turned around in his chair, turning on the stereo in full volume.

"DUO!!!"

"CAN'T HEAR YA JOE!" He yelled back, turning back to his computer.

"ARGH!" The woman finally called in frustration, punching the door. "YOU CAN FORGET ABOUT GETTING OUT OF THE HOUSE FOR A MONTH!" She shouted, stomping back downstairs.

Duo snorted, logging onto the net. "'Fraid I can't do that, Joe." He whispered sadly, punching in a few keys. "There's someone else who got grounded for too long, and I need to help him out. Sorry Joe. Really am."

Part 5

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