Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Tidal Whims ❯ Changes ( Chapter 5 )

Disclaimer: If I owned them I would not share.

Pairings: You'll see later. ;)

AN: Feedback please! Seriously, I'd love feedback. It lets me know what people are thinking and address things you might be concerned or confused about. Be warned though, you flame, I flame back. Grr.


~*~*~*~ signifies a change in time/place.

"______" signifies speech

'______' signifies thoughts




~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Months had passed again as the boys walked into Miss Helen's class for the first time.

Their instinct to run took some effort to control.

“Why is your hair so long?”

“You look like a girl!”

“Are you a girl?”

“Why won't you talk?”

“Hey, aren't you those kids from the park?”

“You're the Winner's kid? Wanna be my friend?”

“He doesn't want to be your friend, stupid!”

“You'll be my friend, right?”

“Get away from him stinky kid!”

“ENOUGH!”

The two boys were huddled in a corner, looking like they either wanted to cry or bolt. Or maybe both.

None of the students had ever heard Miss Helen raise her voice though, and that was enough to make every single mouth snap shut.

“I am surprised at you! You're acting just like those guards and merfolk in the story.”

That seemed to snap quite a few mouths shut as the students all went to their desks, leaving the two boys huddled in the corner.

“Duo, Quatre, I've got two desks for you by the window. Please sit down.”

A few hesitant moments later the boys nodded and sat at the desks, side by side. That seemed to relax them a bit. Tutors had caught them up in their subjects. They were surprised with how fast the two boys learned.

Then again, fast learning meant better chances at survival on the streets.

The school day was pleasant for the most part. Eating lunch away from their new peers and managing to find a quiet place for themselves during recess. It helped that none of the other students were too fond of climbing trees.

Miss Helen was torn between the humor of the situation and chastising the students for what could be misconstrued as dangerous habits.

The first time the boys willingly sat near the other children was for the story.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Years had passed peacefully in the underwater kingdom, the Prince rising to the throne to rule, the Wilds safe from the most violent aggressors, and the people content with the bounty the waters provided.

Sadly, merfolk can be just as foolish as humans.

“They are a menace! My daughter came home screaming the other day that one of them tried to touch her!”

“Your daughter was outside the gates and away from the guards. They were trying to bring her safely home.”

“They would have infected her with their evil!”

“THEY ARE NOT EVIL!”

The mermaid suddenly cowered as he ruler nearly roared in anger.

“Trowa and Wufei are my brothers. They protect others. Years ago they saved my own life. They would NOT have harmed your daughter.”

“They are unnatural.”

“The only unnatural thing I find here is your hatred and fear of two good souls. Leave.”

“But my King!”

“GO!”

The guards escorted her away as the kind slumped. He could only keep up the cool exterior for so long.

“Sire?”

“I'm going out.”

“To see your brother again?”

The blonder merman looked at his king with a small smile. He was one of very few that actually looked beyond the fables to see the individuals beneath.

“Yes.”

“Shall I make excuses for you? That you are tired and need to rest?”

“Thank you, Milliardo, that would be greatly appreciated.”

The young merman watched as the pale fin flicked out of view into the hall before leaving. He could trust his head guard with this, and took off to visit the wild mers.

The good mood that had suffused into him in his time away was abruptly banished when he saw his friend's somber face.

“Milliardo?”

“Sire, there is a rather dire problem.”

“What is it?”

“There is unrest. The populace feels that the Wilds have bewitched you to do as they wish. There is talk about going out in force and killing them to `save' you. I witnessed several individuals with spears and nets. The threats are not idle.”

“But I cannot send them away. That would be a death sentence.”

“So is keeping them near.”

“Any alternative.”

“Yes, but you would probably never see them again.”

“What is it?”

“Seal them in sleep until the world changes and forgets its bigotry.”

The king's startled expression showed just how drastic a measure it was. Then calm, cold sadness and resignation set in.

“There is no other way?”

“I am sorry, Heero.”

“I know. But I will miss them.”

The guard watched as his king swam away to get the necessary tools. The people had effectively killed the soul of their king.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The boys were quiet, having heard that part of the tale for the first time. They knew what it felt like to be hurt because you were different. The other children didn't believe anyone could be that mean.

They didn't understand that they were acting just the same as those merfolk in the story.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Hello boys. I made a treat for you since it was your first day of school. How did it go?”

Mrs. Winner was a sweet woman, and not just for opening her home to another child. She treated Duo as if he really were her's and did all the motherly things that went with it, including bedtime stories and a kiss on his forehead before he fell asleep. The later usually caused a pout that was by no means real.

Today she proved it yet again, holding a tray of fresh cookies that she'd made, rather than having one of the kitchen staff make them.

The Winners didn't display their wealth like many others in their so called class, but rather spent wisely, indulging in a few things, but otherwise putting their money into the benefit of others. The small kitchen staff and two maids were as far as any of them were willing to tolerate. For one boy it took a bit longer to get used to the idea that someone would help take care of his things. They finally gave up and let the boy take care of his own cleaning, which he did surprisingly well. The streets had taught him never let anyone touch your things or they'd vanish.

“It was okay. Are the kids always so loud?”

“Loud?”

Giving each boy a cookie and a glass of milk she sat down to listen. Something the boys still found amazing.

“They kept yelling at us and asking stuff.”

“Stuff?”

“Yeah, like who we are and did we want to be their friend. I don't trust them.”

Mrs. Winner had to suppress a chuckle at the pout on Duo's face. At this age it was completely adorable. But also at this age, he wouldn't thank her to say that.

“Well, you're new so they're curious.”

“They only want to talk now because they know you're my mom.”

Quatre's pout was equal if not greater to Duo's.

“Ah, I think I understand. You do know that you don't have to be friends with them if you don't want to, right?”

“We don't?”

Duo's head popped up, making his braid bounce. That time Mrs. Winner indulged in a giggle.

“Yes. I won't force either of you to be friends with children you don't trust.”

The boys beamed at her.

The rest of the day went well for the boys, finishing their homework and convincing their parents to let them go to their hideaway. They were afraid at first before showing them the place and agreeing that it was safe. The only stipulation was that they be home at a certain time, marking it on the face of a large watch for them to carry. With that they set off, smiling and laughing.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Curled in their favorite spots on the statue and watching the sky dull and fade to night a faint niggling at the back of their brains brought the story back to mind.

“Duo?”

“Yeah?”

 220;Would you ever do anything like that king?”

“You mean push you away if you'd get hurt being around me?”

“Yeah.”

“No.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. It'd hurt worse if I did that.”

“Yeah.”

“Hey Quat?”

“Yeah?”

“Would you?”

“Nope.”

“Good.”
< br> The only sounds that followed were the quiet chirping of crickets and the faint sounds of their breathing.