Mending the Shatters Part 3
III. Family Ties
Sitting in the den, working with some reports, Odin placed a big red X on his diary’s calendar, leaned back, and sighed. But it wasn’t an unhappy sigh. No it was a sigh of content, for the mark he had placed on his journal was the marking of the end of three agonizing but yet fulfilling months. Yep. Three months since he had found his long lost Kid. It’s been three WHOLE months, and Heero was still living with him, and showing no particular discomfort or plans to leave. This was almost too much for him to cope with.
He grinned and closed the journal, turning back to his work. It was Friday morning, Heero was still at school (surprisingly enough he didn’t mind going there any more) and he had some quiet time to catch up with his work. Well, not that he won’t have any peace with Heero being home, for the teen’s presence was hardly noticed, but it was still distracting for him. He couldn’t bare the thought of being cooped up in his home office, while he could be with his so--- with Heero.
A knock on the front door made him stop his silly musings, and he got up, heading downstairs. Once he opened the door, he was shocked to hear a sound of a truck, parked right in front of the house, and a man, looking like some disgruntled postal worker, standing before him.
“Um... yes?” He stammered, eyeing the deliveryman suspiciously.
“Heero Yuy?” The man grunted, looking at him with bored eyes.
He was looking for Heero?!!! Odin shook his head. “He’s not here right now, can I help you?”
“Sign this.” He roughly shoved a folder into his hands, and handed him a pen.
Odin blinked, then looked down at the folder. It was a bill for the shipment, but a shipment of what? Wait a minute! Odin’s head jerked up.
“Five hundred thousand, forty five dollars and twenty nine cents?!!! For what?!” He looked around, searching for the package. It better be in the size of a Gundam or he’ll... His mouth dropped open as soon as he saw the box. It was in the size of a shoebox or something.
He looked up at the postman, still gaping. “Is this some kind of joke?”
“Just sign this, sir, so we can move on.”
“Did Bob Shrets set you up to this?”
“Sir, I’m afraid I don’t know Bob Shrets.” The man grumbled. “Now please!”
“Fine... fine...” He sighed, getting ready to sign. If it’s for Heero... His eyes widened again, as he saw the date of delivery. He looked up at the man again. “There must be a mistake. It says it was first shipped in AC 191.”
“Sir, I don’t have time to argue. Would you please just sign the damn thing?!”
Now very anxious to find out what this is all about, Odin hurried to sign and pay, ignoring for now the amount of money he was spending on... what?
Finishing up with the mailman, he hurried to take the package into the house and close the door behind him. “This better be good...” He mumbled as he began tearing the seals apart.
* * *
Heero closed the door behind him and kicked his shoes off, throwing his bag to the floor. Without even looking up, he stalked towards the kitchen and fixed himself a drink. When he got back, heading for the couch for some slouching, he suddenly halted, the glass resting in his hand. Sitting on the couch, looking down at the coffee table was Odin.
“Hey.” Heero let out, trying to figure out what’s going on.
But he got no response.
Frowning, Heero headed for the sofa. “What are you looking at?” He tried again. But again the blond remained silent. “Odin?” He tried one last time before coming to stand in front of the man.
“Hey there, Heero...” The man let out quietly, still not looking up at him.
Heero followed his gaze and found that the man was gazing at a box resting on the coffee table. “What is it?” He asked, settling down next to the man, sipping his drink.
“Maybe you can tell me, it’s for you.”
“For me?” He turned back to look at the box. It seemed pretty old and ragged, like it had traveled the world...
“Who sent it?”
“You did.”
“What?!”
Odin turned to look at him, smiling weakly. “You did. You sent it to yourself, six years ago.”
“Oh.” Heero let his gaze down, staring at his fingers. “Yeah, I did.” He sighed, looking up at the box. “I didn’t think it would arrive so quickly.”
Odin chuckled. “Quickly?! This thing had been through half the galaxy!”
Heero sent him half a smile. “Yeah. I know. Last I’ve seen it, I was in Brussels, after the war ended.”
“So it came from Brussels?”
Heero nodded, putting his glass on the table. “I always make sure it is delivered to my current location.”
“So it’s like this Follow-Me Mail Service..?” Odin asked, quirking an eyebrow. “No wonder it costs more than my car...”
Heero let his gaze down, as if ashamed. “I’m sorry, I’ll pay you back.”
“Don’t worry about it. Money is no object, and besides, I’d rather have it paid legally...”
Heero turned to glare at him.
The blond chuckled. “Yeah, don’t you think I don’t know about your hacking habits. And I’ll have none of that anymore, while we’re at it. You want something, ask and you’ll get it.”
“Humph! As if your money is cleaner than mine.” Heero spat, smiling a little as he saw the blond gape at him. “Yeah. And don’t you think I don’t know about you using your old bank accounts, from back then. And I’ll have none of that either, old man!”
Odin rolled his eyes, then smacked Heero lightly in the back of his head. “Shut up brat!”
Turning back to face his package, Heero carefully reached his hands towards it. Odin bent over his shoulder to see what’s in it. He would have opened it himself when he had first put his hands on it, but it was an electronically locked metal container, meaning only Heero was to see its content. But curiosity was always his weakness.
“What’s in it?” He asked, bending closer to the teen.
“My life.”
He turned to look at the teen, a bit unsure as to how to take his answer. He could see that the mischievous mood Heero was in a moment ago was all but gone, and now his eyes were serious and thoughtful. He thought they looked haunted.
He watched carefully as Heero punched in the code, and then slowly lifted the lid up. The box opened with a light hiss, and a kind of smell, one that reminded Odin much of his grandmother’s closet, was in the air. He continued to watch, eyes darting from the box, to Heero and back, as the adolescent cleared the protective paper from the top, letting the box’s contents be exposed. The whole time Heero looked as if he was opening a long sealed grave. Maybe his own.
“Heero,” Odin began quietly, eyeing the box carefully.
“I didn’t empty this box for nearly six years.” Heero let out silently, sounding as if caught in some kind of trance. “Each time I get my hands on it, I can never bring myself to open it.” He chuckled bitterly. “Sometimes, I add a few things to it, but I never look at them again.” He turned to look at his caretaker, gaze penetrating. “I told the post office to send it here, because... because this is where I want it to stay.”
“Heero...” He wasn’t sure if he understood him correctly, but he had to know for sure. “Do you mean that...” He couldn’t finish the sentence, because Heero picked up the box and turned it over, showing it to Odin.
Odin looked down at a piece of paper, that was glued to the back of the container, and had to hold himself from bursting into tears. I swear I can be such an over emotional jerk sometimes... But it couldn’t be helped, for he was now staring down at the handwriting of a little boy he once knew, the sloppy letters spelling out a single sentenced that touched his heart:
‘Send it home’.?
He sniffed his nose, looking up at Heero with utter disbelief. “Home?”
Heero nodded. “I could never give up the hope that I’ll have one, someday.”
“Oh, Heero...” He choked out, wanting nothing but to hug the boy. But he knew Heero disliked such things, nothing personal, he had once said, it’s just... wasn’t him. And Odin understood that perfectly.
He gestured at the box, his eyes not leaving Heero’s. “May I?”
Heero answered by lifting the box and placing it on the sofa, between them.
He leafed through its contents carefully, afraid to really touch anything. He retrieved the objects out of the box, one by one, and soon he realized that it was a Time Capsule. The objects were stored in it from very recent time, and under that, from a more distant time. He held his breath in anticipation as he dug further into Heero’s past.
First he had retrieved something that looked a lot like a normal Joystick, one you use on your PC, but it was bigger, heavier, and much more sophisticated. He turned to Heero with a questioning look.
Heero sent him half a smile, reaching for the control stick. “A reminder, from Wing Zero. That’s all that’s left of him.”
Odin nodded, smiling a little as he detected a hint of sadness in Heero’s voice. A man and his mecha... an eternal bond...
He took out some more things, pictures, of the other pilots as Heero explained, some paper articles, about important events during the war, the end of the war and such. There was also an envelope; old and ragged, dating back to a time when Odin thought Heero was dead. He didn’t open the letter, and moved on with his search.
He then got deeper into Heero’s past. He dug out a flower. A dried, orange-yellowish flower. He turned to Heero again. He was surprised to see Heero eyeing the flower as if it was alive or something. As if he was afraid of it... No. Not afraid... sorry more like it...
“Heero, who gave you this flower?”
“. . .”
“Heero?”
“No one. I picked it up myself.” He reached a shaking hand to take the flower from Odin. “It reminded me... of the flower she...” He slowly trailed off, glazed eyes looking down at the flower. They sat in silence for a long while, Odin silently watching Heero, speechless as he saw tears well up on his eyes. Suddenly, Heero took in a sharp breath, releasing it with a sigh. “I made a lot of mistakes.”
“Everyone does.” He hurried to say, and only then realizing how corny it is. How cold and unfeeling it was. He placed a hand over Heero’s and looked up into his eyes. “Heero, whatever you did, whatever you think about yourself because of it, you have got to learn to let go. Leave the past behind you.”
“I can’t. I ki-- I killed her. I killed a lot of people.”
“And so did I. Heero, it’s not your fault.”
“It is! Stop saying that it isn’t!”
“Heero,”
“Just forget it, okay? We don’t have to talk about this...” Heero mumbled, pulling away from the man’s touch.
“You’re wrong, we’ll have to, someday.”
“No!” Heero called, jumping up to his feet. “You don’t need to know! You DON’T need to know what I--- just forget it! No one needs to know!”
“Heero!” Odin called, getting up quickly as Heero opened in a run up to his room. “Heero- come back! I’m sorry!”
“Leave me alone!”
“Heero!”
“LEAVE! ME! ALONE!!!!”
“I WIIL NOT!” He insisted, stomping his foot on the polished wooden floor. He ran over to the bottom of the stairs. “You can’t keep on running from the past! It’s killing you!” He held his breath as he saw Heero halt, and then the teen whirled around to face him, stormy blue eyes looking down at him angrily.
“Why can’t you let it go?!!!” Heero demanded angrily, voice nearly desperate.
“Because you haven’t.” He took a step up.
“Stay away.” Heero warned, backing away.
“No.”
“Fine! Then I’ll go!” Heero called, punching the wall. “I don’t need you, or your pity or anything else! SO LEAVE ME ALONE!”
Odin flinched as he heard the door being slammed behind Heero, and he sighed heavily. “Stop torturing yourself, Kid...” He sighed and turned away. “...please.”
* * *
Knowing Heero as he did, he knew that there wasn’t much point in trying to speak with him. The boy locked himself in his room, and he’ll probably stay there for a LONG while. And so, defeated, he stomped back into the living room, and plopped down on the couch.
“Damn...” He cursed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. He sighed again, eyeing the box that lay next to him.
Heero’s past.
Kid’s life.
Pandora’s box.
He quickly straightened up and reached a shaking hand towards the box. Pandora’s box had already been opened... it wouldn’t harm if he’ll look through it, right?
Most of the things he found in there didn’t mean much to him, but made him wonder what they had meant to Heero. Things from the time he had been under the care of that J fella, during his... training. Without Heero to provide an explanation, he could only wonder why he had kept such objects. Only one thing he thought he did understand, and it made him smile a little as he picked it up. It was a delicate and small metal object, looking a lot like some sort of a toy aircraft... a bird like aircraft... something that resembled Heero’s Gundam. He didn’t know why he had such a toy, and found it hard to imagine Heero playing with something of that sort. Kid was never into such things. He liked knights, horses, stuff like that. He never played with cars or aircrafts.
Digging deeper into the past, Odin began to find things that looked mighty familiar. Yes, there was no doubt. It was from the time Heero had lived with him.
His trembling fingers picked up a small plastic figure, and a little smile crept to his lips. Kid’s knight. Still on his white horse, sword held up high, ready to conquer any danger.
He wondered how Heero had managed to keep all of this. He had lost all his possessions after his so-called death. Did Kid take this stuff with him when he moved on?
Next he had picked up some sort of case. A dark blue case, long and rectangular. He frowned, sensing a déjà vu as he slowly opened the case. He gasped.
“My...” He breathed, picking up what lay inside the case. “My... my glasses?” He chuckled, brining the delicate item to his face. He grinned, examining it from side to side. “I can’t believe I used to wear this thing... they had NO sense of fashion back then...” Suddenly, he noticed that the lenses were a little broken, cracked, and small fingerprints were everywhere, like someone touched it a lot... “Oh, Kid...” He felt tears sting his eyes, and hurried to wipe them away. “I missed you too...” He whispered, putting the glasses back into place.
He found more of his things: his wristwatch, still stained with blood, his keys with the silly little key chain that looked like a monkey or something, his ‘lucky pen’, more stupid junk, and finally... his wallet. The one he took on that last mission, leaving it behind with Kid as he changed into a soldier’s uniforms.
His wallet. The money was untouched. It was just like he had last seen it. His Traveler ID card, his driving license (the picture also smudged with fingerprints), two movie tickets to some animated movie, a bunch of fake credit cards, a wrap of gum, a bus ticket from ages ago, a perfumed ‘have a nice trip’ card from Linda... a little ‘farewell’ drawing from Kid... and...
“Oh God...”
Stuffed securely into a hidden pocket...
“It’s...”
He pulled it out gently, carefully, as if it was God himself he was touching.
And he let out a choked whimper, unable to hold back the tears.
“What’s in it?”
“My life.”
“Our life...” He whispered, voice choked with tears. “Oh Lid...” He cried, fingertips touching a single photo, taken oh so long ago...
“We were happy, weren’t we?” He asked the face he missed as much as he had missed his Kid. “I nearly forgot how you looked like... I’m... I’m so sorry...” His tears fell down upon the old photo, as his fingertips making their way up to another smiling face. Kid’s face. Heero’s face. Merely five years of age, sitting up over Odin’s shoulders, one arm holding his little teddy bear, the other holding Odin’s hand for support. Next to the two, also wrapped around the blond man, was a young, beautiful, woman, with a gentle face, long blond hair and wonderfully smiling green eyes.
A perfect picture.
Of a perfect life.
Lost long gone.
It was in a fair, he remembered. There was a fair in the colony, and they all went there. All three- no, four- of them. Kid, Linda, he and Yoshi. They were a family. They were happy. And this picture is all that is left of that time. All that is left of that perfect life. Shattered. Gone. And only the wounds were left, only broken dreams were left, waiting to be mended.
It was time to let go.
* * *
He didn’t bother to ask for permission, he just entered. It wasn’t the first time this was happening, and he sure hoped that this was the last. They needed to move on.
Walking into the bedroom, Odin found it dark, and apparently empty. But he knew better than to panic. Heero wouldn’t leave just like that.
He walked over to the window, climbing over the bed. The window was wide open, and so he climbed out, up on the railing and up to the roof. Once up on the roof, he stood up, looking around.
The view was magnificent. The valley spread in all its magical glory on one side, and the ocean sparkled with the last rays of light on the other side. It was beautiful, to say the least. But he wasn’t there to appreciate the view. Neither was Heero.
He knew about the teen’s little habit of climbing up on the roof, doing whatever he did. He kept silent about it, not letting the teen know that he was aware of it. He understood Heero’s need for a little solitude, for a little quiet time, away from it all. And what better place then this?
He walked carefully towards the sulking boy, sitting at the far edge of the roof, facing the ocean, where the sun was now setting. He sat down silently, right next to Heero, but kept his gaze at the sea.
There was silence for a long time as the sun finally melted into the sea, and the first sparkling star appeared.
Odin waited a while longer, then spoke.
“Why did you choose to be called Heero?”
Deep blue eyes left the calming sight of the waves crashing against the shoreline, and turned to face the quiet man sitting next to him. He quirked an eyebrow in bewilderment, but then sighed.
“I didn’t. It’s my code name.”
Odin shook his head, finally looking up to face him. “No, it was a code name, maybe, during the war, but the war is over.”
Heero seemed a little surprised, like he hadn’t realized it before. He looked away, drawing his knees to his chest, hugging them.
“Why did you keep the name?”
Why was Odin asking him this? What does it matter? Why now, all of a sudden?
“It was the only name anyone had ever given me.”
Ouch. That must have hurt. He didn’t mean to make it sound like that... He himself once told Odin that he didn’t mind being called Kid.
Heero slowly closed his eyes, dropping his head down in shame as Odin fell silent for a long time.
“I’m sorry I never gave you a name.” The man finally spoke, after a long while of just watching the stars. “I could never think of anything fitting...” He let out quietly, voice sounding distant. “I’m not very good with names...” He chuckled bitterly. “But Heero... that name is fitting. I can’t think of anything more fitting than that.”
Heero turned up to face him, face confused. “Why?” He nearly flinched as the man looked up to meet his eyes. Odin’s eyes were so... sad, and painful... sorrowful and full of anguish. He had never seen him look so haunted, nor serious in all of his life. Not even that day, when he... died.
“Do you know who was also name Heero Yuy?” The man asked quietly, voice dreadful.
Heero merely managed to nod his head.
“Don’t you find it fitting, that you bear the same name?”
Heero shrugged, looking back to the ocean, now illuminated with the pale magical light of the nearly full moon. “We are not the same person, but...” He took a deep breath, releasing it slowly as he looked up to the sky, at the twinkling stars. “We fought for the same cause. I feel as though I should keep his name. To make it mine now... so I won’t forget. It’s who I am, the war and all.” He turned back to Odin. “Is that why you find it fitting?”
“No. That’s your reason, Kid.” He let out, also turning to look at the ocean.
“I don’t understand.”
“I told ya, Kid, you’re not the only one who made mistakes.”
Heero frowned, not understanding what the man was trying to say. What does it have to do with his name?
Odin chuckled bitterly as he sensed Heero’s confusion. He then sighed heavily. “You’re not the only idiot among us, Heero.”
Heero gasped quietly, eyes widening.
“A long time ago... some idiot, with just one shot, altered the entire flow of history...”
No...
“... Now that the plans have been laid out... I never know if there’s some other idiot out there who will alter the future...”It’s not true... Can’t be...
“...That’s why I live by my feelings... That way I don’t regret things after the act.”
“You killed him.”
Silence.
“Yes.”
And again that deafening silence.
Odin had killed Heero Yuy. He couldn’t believe it! All this pain, all the wars, the lost hope for peace... all because of one idiot... one bullet that altered history... one shot that changed so many lives... including his own. All because of him. Because of Odin.
“Why?”
“I was stupid. It was a mistake. And you can blame the WHOLE war on me. All your suffering,” He gestured out to the sea of water and sea of stars. “...all of their suffering,” He turned to look Heero in the eye. “It’s all my fault, for firing that one bullet.”
Heero just sat there, silent and unmoving, studying Odin carefully.
A lot of people suffered greatly because of that assassination. There could have been peace long ago... or could it? Nah... this isn’t right. It was irrational anger, what he was feeling now. He should know better. He’s been there before, at New Edwards... He should know better.
“Hm. Baka ne, it’s not your fault.” He finally snorted, looking back at the sea.
Odin kept silent, not facing Heero.
“I don’t blame you for what happened to me. I don’t blame anyone. And you are a fool for blaming yourself for all that has happened. How can one bullet possibly cause all of this?”
“It started it all. I started it all.”
“Humph! If it weren’t you, it would be some other idiot.” Heero snorted, his hand reaching towards Odin.
The blond man gasped as he felt Heero’s hand touch him, and whirled around, eyes wide, looking into two deep pools of blue compassion and understanding. Of acceptance.
He sighed deeply, looking away. If Heero was able to forgive him, why not forgive himself too?
“I think,” Heero began quietly, still holding Odin’s hand. “I think I understand what you are trying to show me.”
“You do?” He whispered, still not looking up.
Heero nodded, biting down his lower lip. “But... it’s hard, to let go, just like that.”
“I know, Heero. I know.” He looked up into the teen’s eyes, and smiled faintly. “It took me nearly twenty years to do so. And I wouldn’t have done it if it weren’t for you, Kid. In a way, you were my chance to make amends.”
Heero sent him a weak smile. “Ironic, isn’t it?”
“Aa.” He answered quietly, returning a small smile of his own. “I only hope, that you will be able to do the same. You’re a good Kid, I don’t know if I ever told you that before, but you are. I want you to know that.” He squeezed his hand gently. “And I want you to be happy, to be free of a burden I have been carrying for twenty years. Do you understand that?”
Heero nodded, eyes shimmering with tears. “Hai. A... arigatou, Odin.”
He will try. He has to. He wanted to.
Maybe it was time to let go.
* * *
“Can you get the door?” Odin’s request rang through the kitchen as a knock was heard on the front door.
“I answered the phone, you open the door.” Heero answered dryly, turning a page in his history book, and continuing to read. He was sitting by the kitchen table, where the light was best, preparing for his history finale as Odin made dinner.
“But I’m cooking!” The blond man whined.
The knocks continued.
“And I’m studying.” Heero answered, uncaring, scribbling a few notes in his notebook.
“Heero...” The man begged.
And the knocks continued.
“Not gonna work.” The teen spat, eyes sparking with amusement as he turned another page, not really reading it.
“Fine!” Odin growled, throwing a kitchen towel to the floor. “But don’t blame me if you’ll get burned sushi for dinner!” He shouted as he rushed to the front door.Heero rolled his eyes and shook his head. He turned back to the previous page, the one he had actually been reading. “Hn, baka ne... burned sushi...”
“Hey there man, I was this close to breaking the door down!” A loud and cheerful voice called the minute Heero heard the door open.
“Don’t push it, you still owe me for that last door you broke...” Odin teased back, making Heero chuckle.
“Hey, what’s cooking?” The voice asked curiously, and Heero could hear them both come closer to the kitchen.
“Nothing your wife doesn’t do better, Bob.”
“Oh, so you’re the one who asked for them Japanese recopies! And I thought my mother finally went totally crazy! Where is the boy anyway?”
“The boy...” Heero muttered, rolling his eyes again. He was nearly eighteen, and still he was called ‘The Boy’. Humph! Assholes!
“Where else? With his nose inside a book!” Odin mock-complained as they entered the kitchen.
“Tell me about it! I can’t get Tiff out of them books either!”
The two men looked at each other, then burst out laughing.
Heero sighed in irritation, turning around in his chair, one arm flying across the back of the chair. He glared at the two. “Can you keep it quiet over there?”
“Oh, sorry.” Odin muttered, then gasped, rushing towards the stove, where his cooking was about to really catch on fire.
Heero rolled his eyes, then turned back to look at the guy standing in the kitchen door. He was about Odin’s age, no, a little older, maybe forty-five or so. He was tall, a little chubby, but not too chubby. The best way to describe him would be- big. He had this goofy face, a face of a joker, accompanied by two sparkling eyes. He was a little tanned, brown hair and casually clothed “Hey.” He let out, trying to be friendly. “Hey Heero!” The man called, rushing to shake the teen’s hand. “Boy, I have heard A LOT about you! I’m sorry we didn’t get to meet earlier! I was so busy... work and all... I was out of town for a while, but I heard you met up with Ai and the kids... well, no, probably just Ai... right?” Heero blinked, quite confused, trying to catch up with the long string of chatter. Luckily, he had had A LOT of practice in the past... “Yes.” He finally answered, eyeing the man’s hand, which was still holding his. “Oh! Sorry!” The man called, letting go of his hand. “Anyway, I’m Bob Shrets!” “Yeah, I figured that...” Heero muttered quietly. “What was that?” “Oh? Nothing...” “Now, now, Bob, quit crowding the boy!” Odin laughed as he walked back towards the two. “Hey, after all the money I lost over him, I just wanted to make sure he was for real!” Heero sent up a suspicious glare towards Odin. Odin swallowed, then chuckled nervously. “Don’t mind him, Heero, I didn’t get one penny.” The glare was still there. “Um... heehee... We’re just kidding, right Bob?” Bob just grinned. Odin elbowed him sharply. “Ahem... right.” Heero rolled his eyes again, turning back to his work. Odin frowned. “C’mon man, lets get this little thing over and you can come back to your kid.” Bob announced cheerfully, dragging Odin out of the kitchen. “Sure, but, um...” Odin stammered as he was dragged out of the kitchen. “Bob? Why are you here?” Heero laughed quietly, shaking his head. What a bunch of idiots! Where did Odin meet up with THAT guy? He listened as the two went up into Odin’s home office and figured it was work related. He still didn’t know exactly WHAT Odin did for a living. All he knew is that it had to do with raising funds and handling the money so the company he worked for could help people, places and families who were affected by the war. Help construction, medical care, stuff like that. He and Bob were partners in the business. And apparently, very good friend. God only knew why... * * * “Catch ya later Hee-chan!” Bob called as he left the house, making Heero jump up in his chair. Hee-chan!? Where did THAT come from? Only one person in the whole universe called him that, and he was far FAR away... Heero shook his head fiercely, trying to concentrate on his studying. He had finales in less than a week! There was no time thinking about the people he missed! “Oh God!” Odin called as he ran towards the stove. “Jesus Heero- couldn’t you keep an eye on that?!” He continued as he struggled to save whatever he could of the food. “Lost cause. It was already ruined.” The teen replied matter-of-factly. “Oh, fine then! Then you’ll cook next time.” Odin sighed, cleaning up the mess all around. “Stick to what you’re good at.” Heero offered, writing down a few notes. “I thought you got sick from my ‘junk food’.” “It’s better that coal for supper, though I had had worse.” “Hm... arrogant brat...” The blond muttered, still cleaning. Heero chuckled quietly, and continued to study. “What was that all about?” Heero asked after a while, still not looking up from his book. “What was what?” “That guy.” “Oh! Bob!” Odin answered, settling two plates on the table, pushing Heero’s things aside. “Well, he just brought some stuff I had to look at.” “Work?” “Hm hmm. Why?” “Just wondering. He looks kinda...” Odin chuckled. “You’ll get used to it.” “He reminded me of someone...” “Hm? What was that?” He asked as he walked to the fridge to get some drinks- two cans of root bear. “Nothing.” “Oh.” They both settled to eat their dinner, Odin looking thoughtfully at the teen as he continued to read his history book. “Heero?” “Hm?” He hummed, taking another bite from his meal, eyes still in the book. “I was wondering...” He cleared his throat nervously. “I was wondering if you’ll, um...” Heero looked up at him in question. “Yes?” Odin shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “See, Bob is having this kind of, um, gathering, this weekend and he, um... he invited us.” Heero’s mouth nearly dropped open. “He... he did?” “Yeah, um, you see, it’s a family gathering thing and, um, we’re invited.” Family?! “But we are not his family.” “Yes, well, um, they sort of see us as... family.” Heero closed his book, crossing his arms over his chest. “Why?” They barely knew one another, or at least, they barely knew him. “Well, to make a long story short, they took care of me when I was out of the hospital. When they came to Earth, I did too. We didn’t loose touch.” “And that counts as family?” “It does to us.” Heero frowned. “Do you want to go?” Odin nodded. “It’s an annual thing. I go every year. The whole family comes, from all over the country.” “Oh.” Heero let out, looking away. “So there’s gonna be a lot of people... right?” Again the blond nodded. Heero bit his lower lip in thought. “You don’t have to answer right away. But think about it, okay?” Heero still didn’t look up. “Heero?” The teen sighed, then looked up, nodding his head. “Thanks.” Odin breathed in relief, and continued eating his dinner. Heero just frowned again, looking at him. A family gathering? Odin’s family? Well, not exactly, but still... more people he had to face... to impress... to make them accept him... He didn’t know if he was up to this... But the hopeful look in Odin’s eyes... He could tell that it meant a lot to him. And Bob wasn’t that bad... and Ai was not bad at all, he met her on a few occasions and found it quite nice to speak with her. So maybe... just maybe... “I’ll give it a shot.” Odin’s head jerked up and he grinned. Heero rolled his eyes again. “Eat your food, baka ne, you look ridicules.” * * * The weekend finally arrived and so did the family gathering. Heero didn’t think he was EVER this nervous in his life. The whole ride to Bob’s place he could feel his stomach clench. He was so afraid of making the wrong impression, of not fitting in as usual, of being feared and scolded for who and what he was... “Relax.” Odin ordered as he parked the car in front of a big house. “It’ll be fine.” Heero snorted. “It will!” The blond insisted with a smile, taking off his seatbelt. Heero sighed, fingers fidgeting. He was even afraid to step out of the car! “Hey,” Odin let out softly, placing a hand on Heero’s shoulder. “Look at me.” Heero sighed, but did as told. “You have NOTHING to worry about. These people know ALL about my past, and about yours. And they have no problem with it. The war is over, Heero, and everybody is trying to move on. So don’t let it bother you too much, and try to enjoy yourself, okay?” Heero made a pouting face, earning a little smack on the head from Odin. He blew out air, pushing a few messy bangs up and smiled a little. “Fine.” “Good.” He tapped on the teen’s shoulder and prepared to get out of the car. “Oh, one more thing.” He turned to him with an evil grin. “Try to stay away from Tifa.” He winked, and hurried out of the car. “Hey!” Heero called after him. “What’s THAT supposed to mean?!” * * * “So I see you managed to get the kid over here.” Bob congratulated his friend, while flipping a burger on the grill. “Yeah, too bad he won’t get his nose out of them books, though.” Odin sighed, shaking his head. Bob grinned, adding more spice to the meat. “Nah, don’t worry about it. When these babies will start to smell, he’ll forget all about them books and come over to my Super Grilled Extra Onion Burgers!” “Chill, okay? You’re getting far too excited about the damn burgers.” “Can’t help it. THEY’RE A MASTER PIECE!” Odin rolled his eyes, then returned to examine the scene. People were all around the large yard, enjoying the sunny day. Most of the women were either talking or helping Ai with the salads, the men either drinking beer, talking or arguing about something, or playing football- one side of the family against the other. Kids of all ages were running around, playing, and only one lonesome figure was sitting away from it all, by a picnic table, her head inside a book. “Damn you Heero...” Odin muttered, shaking his head. “Don’t worry about it!” Bob tried to cheer him up. “He’ll crawl out of his shell soon!” “Right...” “Hey, you wanna bet on it?” The man offered with a devilish grin. “Forget it, pal.” Bob shrugged, rolling a hotdog in the grill. “Fine, your loss.” He looked up in Heero’s direction and grinned again. “Yo! HEEEERO!” “What are you doing?!” Odin demanded angrily. “Don’t bug him!” “Just trying to get him to have some fun.” He hurried to explain. “HEEEEEERO!” Heero looked up from his book, and blinked. Someone was calling him? Who? No one bothered to speak with him after the initial introduction. Those people made it clear that he is merely tolerated. So who was calling him?” “HEEEERRRRROOOOO! OVER HEEEEERE!!!!” “Okay... okay... I heard you!” Heero muttered angrily, putting his book down and getting up. He stalked over to the two men by the barbeque, a glare on his face. “What?!” “How are you?” Bob asked with a grin. Odin groaned, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “What?” Heero asked, surprised. “How. Are. You?” He had dragged him all this way for... this?! “Um... fine.” He finally answered, still confused. Bob’s goofy grin was still there as he threw an arm over Heero’s shoulder and pulled him closer. “Heero, my friend, what do YOU know about cooking out doors?” “C-cooking out doors?” “Yep. Have any theories on the subject?” “No, sir.” The man frowned. “Sir? Sir?! Sir, you can call your teacher ‘sir’! I’m UNCLE Bob!” Heero could hear Odin groan again, probably embarrassed for his friend. “I think Bob will be enough for now...” Odin finally said, looking apologetically at poor lost and confused Heero. “Fine, then, Bob it is. So, you say you know nothing about BBQ? Well, let me share a few of MY theories...” Heero smiled politely and then caught a glimpse of Odin mouthing him to ‘run!’. “Um, I’ll be glad to hear it, though, um, I...” Heero looked around, desperate. “I have to...” “Oi, Heero!” A voice suddenly called and Heero thanked whoever it is for saving him. “Heero!” The voice called again, and he recognized it as Bob’s wife- Ai. “You got lucky this time, boy...” Bob laughed and let go of Heero. “Next time!” “Um... sure...” Heero quickly replied and hurried towards Ai and her friends. “Heh, quite a kid you got there, Din...” “Yeah, thanks for nearly scaring him to death.” “He’s just so much fun to mess up with!” Odin smacked him, hard, but still in good humor. “Let me handle things from now on, kay?” Bob just shook his head in amusement, flipping another burger. “What a kid, eh?” * * * “Heero!” Odin called as he ran towards the teen. Heero looked up at the blond man, puzzled. “What is it? Got any more jokes to play on my expense?” Odin frowned. “He didn’t mean any harm.” “Right.” “He just gets a little carried away, that’s all.” “Is that what you came here for?” Heero questioned harshly, hands on hips. “Hey, Din, came ta steal Heero away from us?” A bunch of amused voices called. Odin swallowed nervously. He looked around at the bunch of women gathered around a long picnic table, under a large tree, making the salads and chatting. And Heero was sitting with them. “Um... no. Just came here to apolo-“ “Men!” One woman called, waving her hands in the air. Odin scolded. “But--” Ai hushed him with a gesture then got up and walked over to Odin. “Don’t worry, Din, I know it’s not your fault you were born with a Y chromosome instead of two good Xs...” Odin glared down at her. “And I know it’s all Bob’s fault for putting these ideals in your head...” “Ai...” Odin growled. “And so I forgive you and you can have him back.” The Japanese woman concluded with a grin. “Well thank you very much, your royal highness, queen of these who are female...” He muttered, looking up at Heero, eyeing him to go. “We shall be taking leave now, my fair ladies...” He retreated with a bow, a silly smile on his face. “What was that all about?” Heero asked once they were a few feet away from the women. Odin sighed. “Well, um, there are several rules regarding a family gathering such as this...” “Women make the salad and men make the meat?” Heero spoke sarcastically. “Isn’t that a little primitive?” “Well... um... They just thought that I meant to- Well...” “I see nothing wrong with sitting around with the women. And besides, I rather deal with salads than with scourged meat.” Odin flinched. “True, true... but people might think that... you know, it is not customary to... so they thought that, um...” ”That what?!” Heero demanded, stopping in his tracks, hands on hips. He glared up at Odin. “That I am weak? A sissy? A fag? What?!” Odin winced, surprised at the outburst. “No!” He called, shocked. Why the hell was this simple conversation turning so dangerous? He merely wanted to point out that the women thought that he was there to take Heero over to the men, when he had just come to apologize before Heero got mad. But Heero took it all in a wrong way and now he felt as though he was in deep shit. He better try and fix it, soon. “I’m not saying that you are gay or anything...” “And if I was?” “What!?” Odin gasped, shocked. This is getting out of hand! What’s up with Heero??? “If I was gay, what then?!” “Keep your voice down...” Odin asked, gesturing him to keep quiet. Heero’s eyes widened in anger. “I don’t understand all of these social rules!” He exclaimed, waving his hands up in the air. “I don’t think I want to understand them!” “Heero,” He tried again, getting a little desperate. “Just let me be, okay?” He pushed the man aside and walked over to the house, feeling all dozens pairs of eyes following him as he marched into the house. * * * “Kuso...” He mumbled to himself, walking aimlessly inside the house. “I can’t do anything right...” He repeated to himself quietly, while walking deeper into the house. “Are you?” A voice suddenly called and Heero froze in his spot, senses alert. “Are you gay?” The voice repeated, sounding quite amused. Heero whirled around, body tense. He gasped a little as he saw who had spoken to him. It was a teenage girl, his age, wearing black clothing, a lot of scary make up, screaming red hair and piercing all over. She was standing at the top of the stairs, arms crossed over her chest, a smirk on her face. Heero’s eyebrows drew near as he glared up at her. But he remained silence. “Humph... assholes...” The girl snorted, shrugging. “I hate these family gatherings.” She spat dryly, turning around, preparing to walk up the stairs. “Does it really matter?” Heero asked, just before she disappeared. “No, not really.” Was the amused reply. “It’s just too bad, they don’t understand anything.” Heero frowned, thinking it over. He heard her high heels tap on the polished floor as she continued climbing up the stairs. “You’re Tifa, right?” “The one and only.” Heero sighed, sitting down on the bottom step. “Do you really hate your family that much?” He asked quietly, not looking up at her, knowing it is none of his business. “No.” Heero made a face, looking down at his fidgeting fingers. “Then why?” “I told ya, they’re assholes. They don’t understand anything. They live in their perfect little bubble, and God forbid if anyone would burst that bubble.” He heard her snort. “They’re not like us.” “Us?” Heero looked up in her direction, seeing that she was now sitting on the top step, hugging her knees, facing the wall. He saw her shrug. “You and me, we’re different from them.” She turned around to look at him, smiling eerily at him. “But then again, you and me, are also different.” “Why?” Her smile grew. “Me, I want to be different. I do anything to be different from them. You, on the other hand, will do anything to be like them.” She smirked again, a weird gleam in her eyes. “That makes you an asshole too.” Heero glared angrily at her. “No I don’t.” “Oh?” She said, raising an eyebrow. “Admit it, you came here with one thought in your head- will they accept you? All you did today was worry about what they will think of you, what if they won’t like you? Look at what happened now- you’re a nervous wreck! You want to be accepted by them, that’s why you don’t want to be different.” “And why does it make me an asshole?” Again she smiled slyly. “Because you don’t understand, that you are already accepted.” Heero scowled, not so sure he understood it right. “You’re an ass because you try so hard not to be different, and you don’t even realize that even if you ARE different, they will accept you for what you are. People who try to change what they are, are all a bunch of fucked-up morons.” She slowly got up, and prepared to go up again. “Just because I act the way I do, doesn’t mean they’ll kick me out of the family! They have to deal with what they got. And besides, if everybody in this family will be the same, these gatherings will be pretty boring, eh?” “But I am... I am not family...” Heero let out, shaking his head, now completely confused. “Sure you are. You’re Din’s kid, aren’t you?” “His... kid..?” Heero whispered, shocked at her statement. He looked up, seeing she was gone. He let his gaze down, staring at the floor. “His Kid...” * * * “Ohhh... I just KNOW I’m gonna do THIS much of apologizing when we get home...” Odin muttered as he sat next to his friends/family after lunch, drinking his beer. “I’m done for it, I know!” “Hey, c’mon... don’t take it so hard!” Bob tried to cheer him up. “He was just a little nervous so he took everything to heart. Don’t worry about it! It’ll be fine...” Odin sighed, looking up at the house. Heero hadn’t come out of there in hours. He wondered what the teen was doing, if he was there at all. Maybe he ran away... But he didn’t say anything bad! Why was Heero so offended by a simple comment? “I better go talk to him...” “Boy! You can’t leave that kid alone for one second now can you!?” “I’m just worried...” “He’s a grown boy, Din. Let him be.” The blond sighed and let his gaze down. * * * “Want another one?” Heero looked up at the bottle of beer offered to him, and nodded. “Thanks.” He slurred as he took it, and frowned as he saw opening the bottle took quite an effort. Tifa chuckled and snatched the bottle from him. “Man, you are wasted...” She giggled, opening the bottle for him. “I can see you’re not used to this...” Heero just smiled this goofy little smile, and took the bottle from her. “You sure this isn’t the first time you drink?” She asked again, eyeing him carefully. “Hm hmm...” He muffled while drinking. “And did you ever get this drunk?” Heero frowned, pulling the bottle up to his face, staring at it dumbly. He then shrugged. Tifa burst out laughing. “You’re so much fun, kid!” He glared at her. “Not... a... Kid!” “Heehee... sorry.” She took a sip out of her own bottle and plopped down on the bed, lying on her stomach, legs up, swinging back and forth. She smirked, looking down at Heero who sat on the floor, leaning against her bed, staring into thin air. She was so amused by this boy. He was so... naïve. Interesting. Different. And so much fun to mess up with! She needed to loosen him up a little, so she gave him a beer. Of course, not wanting to get into trouble or anything, she first made sure that he could handle it. But it seemed that he had little experience with alcohol. And now, after four beers or so, he was a little too tipsy. But, looking at the bright side, it did help a lot with conversation. “Your turn.” Heero suddenly said, not looking up at her. “Okay then- truth or dare?” Heero frowned, thinking. “Truth.” Tifa grinned, sipping her drink, eyeing him with a mischievous look in her eyes. “Gutsy. Foolish, but gutsy.” She muttered, still grinning. “Alright, Heero Yuy, why won’t you tell me about. . . the most OUTRAGEOUS thing you EVER did.” Heero’s frown deepened. “Out...rageous?” “Hm hmm.” She nodded, settling more comfortably in the bed, edging closer to him. She smirked right in his face. “C’mon... or do you prefer dare?” “Hn! I do not back off from a mi-“ He shook his head, sighing. “Give me a minute to think.” Outrageous... outrageous? What did HE do that was outrageous??? “Umm... how about... uh... jumping off a ten story building?” “Not good enough.” “Without a parachute?” “Umm... still not good enough. I bet you do it all the time.” “Hn, baka.” He sighed, looking up in thought. “All right... so how about...” “Make it juicy.” Juicy?! Oh! He’s got it! Just what she wanted... “Well, after the Eve Wars ended I... I sort of kissed Relena Peacecraft (2).” “You did?!!” Tiff burst, head jerking up. “Heehee... I thought you don’t go that way...” Heero turned around to glare at her. “I said NO such thing!” “Fine, have it your way...” She let out, still smirking. “So... did it go BEYOND kissing... maybe you two...” “No!” Heero called, still glaring. “Our relationship was completely aplatonic! We’re friends.” “Right.” “It’s true! Why I don’t even-“ Oops. Better keep that drunken mouth shut, or he’ll spill more than he’ll be able to clean up later. Heero clamped his mouth shut and turned back to face the opposite wall. But it appeared that he had already spoken too much. He could still feel her smirk, amused eyes eyeing the back of his head. He sighed. “My turn, right?” He could feel her nod. “Okay, um...” He looked around the room, searching for a question. Better be something that will push her off her current course of thought. “Tell me about...” He heard a few laughs from the yard, three stories down (her room was in the attic) and then smiled slyly. “The stupidest thing anyone in your family had EVER did.” Tifa looked down at him, puzzled. He liked asking about her family, and she found it a little odd. While she had been asking questions about what he did during the war (only the juicy parts, of course) he had been asking more and more about her ORDINARY life. “Fine, give me a sec...” She sipped her beer in thought. Then she smiled and jumped up on the bed, sitting. “Okay, so this one time, like two years ago or something, we were on this fishing trip, right? And playing it heroes, my dad and Din decided they’re gonna go hunting in the middle of the night, to make the girls proud or something, and so they like walk around the woods at night, and it’s so dark they can’t see anything, okay?” “Is there a point to this?” “Shut up and let me talk!” Heero shrugged, and emptied his bottle. “And so, being the assholes that they are, lost in the middle of nowhere, they hear voices, like cheering and stuff. So they figure they’re in town again, and rush there to get help.” Now she was laughing so hard, she found it difficult to speak. “And they like walk straight into a gigantic OZ base, which was hosting a circus or something! Ha! . . . And even when they figure where they are, my dad says they go in to check out the show! . . . And then like- this GUNDAM appears out of nowhere and . . . hahaha. . . and. . .” “That’s not stupid at all!” Heero called, slamming his bottle down to the floor. “But they walked STRAIGHT into that place!” “They could have gotten killed!” Heero raged, whirling around to glare at her. “Relax, okay?” She shrugged and then took a sip out of her drink. “I thought it was stupid, I mean, I wouldn’t go there!” Heero sighed, irritated, and then turned around again. “You have a bizarre sense of humor.” “Well, at least I have one.” Heero snorted. “I think I’m gonna go now...” He mumbled, trying to steadily get up. “Kay. Just don’t tell them who gave you the beers!” “I’m not THAT drunk!” “Right.” She rolled her eyes, getting up. “I better walk you down the stairs or you’ll fall and break a leg. Wouldn’t want to see you mend it yourself or anything, I’m nauseas enough already...” Heero scowled. He had told her THAT much? * * * “Ohhh. . .” Heero moaned, leaning his head against the car’s window, closing his eyes so he won’t have to look at the scenery moving so damn fast. It was now pretty late at night, and the two were driving home. He had managed to avoid Odin for most of the day, spending WAY too much time with Tifa, getting so damn drunk, and now he was a little queasy. In the driver’s seat beside him, Odin chuckled, shaking his head. “Want me to pull over?” “I’m fine!” Came the gruffy reply. He moaned again, hugging his stomach tightly. “You sure? Cuz these seats are pretty new...” He chuckled again as Heero turned slowly and glared at him, looking too miserable to be really threatening. He sighed, shaking his head, looking back at the road. “How many did you have any way?” “Enough to make a bad impression...” Heero muttered, closing his eye again. “Nah... anyone who gets along with Tiff is bound to leave a GREAT impression. Why, next we’re gonna send you to tame lions...” “At an OZ base?” Heero chuckled to himself. He glanced at Odin, seeing him blush. “Hm. Baka ne...” Odin shrugged. “Well, it was the only time I ever saw a Gundam, up close and personal.” He smiled at the thought. “Not to mention the first time I was in a REAL circus...” “I’ll ask Trowa to give ya a tour one time...” He groaned again, feeling bile climb up to his throat. He shifted in his seat, clutching his aching stomach, trying to somehow lie on his side, facing the window. He closed his eyes, taking deep breaths. “You miss ‘em?” Odin suddenly asked, as the silence was getting a little too long. “Sometimes.” “Why won’t you call them or something?” He could hear Heero snort, and send him a quick glance. “Why not?” “They’ve gone on with they’re lives. I wouldn’t want to bother.” “I’m sure it won’t be bothering. After all you guys have been through, I bet you are close as family.” Heero rolled his eyes. “Don’t push it.” “Wouldn’t you like a family?” Heero sighed. “What’s with you and families?!” “Just answer the question.” Again he sighed, closing his eyes. “Of course I do.” He answered after a while. “And what do you think of Bob’s family?” “Loud.” “Seriously, Heero. What do you think?” Heero pushed himself up, sitting up properly, and looked at Odin. “Seriously?” The man nodded, sending him a quick glance. “I think they hate me.” “Why is that?” Heero shrugged. “Can you blame them, after the scene I made today?” “Oh, that. Don’t worry about it. It was just a misunderstanding. They know it, I know it and so do you. You were just a little too sensitive, that’s all.” “You’re making me sound like a wimp.” Heero grunted, crossing his arms over his chest. The blond man shrugged. “Whatever. But my point is, that you are too paranoid. You’re so set up on the belief that no one wants you, that no one CAN want you, and so you can’t see it when someone DOES want you. When people DO accept you.” “That’s because I find it hard to understand how can they possibly accept me.” Again the man sighed. “Listen, Heero, in every family, there are ups and downs. No one is perfect, and no one seeks perfection, there is no such thing as the perfect family. There are fights, and there are differences. The trick is, to learn and deal with it. To learn to live with what you got. To accept no matter what, because that’s family. You are not the only one who feels insecure and sometimes unwelcome. It’s only human to feel that way from time to time. And whatever you think you did wrong, just forget about it. These people are happy to have you with them as a part of their family.” Heero looked away at the window, sighing. “Because I’m with you?” “Because you are YOU.” He heard Heero sigh, and saw him slump his shoulders down. “Okay, I won’t lie to you, being somehow related to me does have a part in it. But does it really matter? These people are gonna be there for you and me no matter what. That’s what counts.” Heero smiled a little, looking down at his fingers as he played around with them. “I told you before, Heero, you’re a good kid. You got a good soul and a good heart.” Heero snorted. “No, I’m not kidding. You’re a good kid. You just need to find yourself again, to believe in it. We’ll try to help you, as much as we can, but it’s mostly up to you, Kid.” Again the boy sighed, looking up at the night sky as they drove. He wondered what he had done to deserve such a thing. People who were good and kind enough to accept him. What he had done to deserve hearing the words he had been lead to disbelieve for so long- that he was still good. Still worthy of love and care. He wondered what he had done to deserve such a great... family. “Turn right, baka, you’re gonna miss the turn.” * * * Don’t be nervous... don’t be nervous... don’t be nervous... That was all that went through Heero’s mind as he sat by the table at yet ANOTHER ‘family’ dinner. Since the first time went pretty bad, Ai called the two and asked them if they want to come over for dinner, just to give it another try. She promised there wouldn’t be a lot of people this time... Feeling awful for the way he had behaved last time, though Odin kept saying he shouldn’t worry about it, Heero had agreed on coming. And so, there he was, on a Friday night, sitting around the table with a bunch of people he didn’t really know. Looking up from his soup, he could see Tifa sitting across of him, looking quite unhappy with the fact that she had to stay home on a Friday. Next to her, sat a little boy- looking about eight or so, and if he wasn’t mistaken, his name was Kenny or something. All he knew for sure was that the boy was staring at him all the time, like he had just grown another head or something. Sighing, Heero looked down at his hands, resting in his lap. He tried his best to keep up with the conversation around the table. If he wasn’t talking, he should at least listen, ne? He looked up, eyes wide, as he heard the word ‘Gundam’ being mentioned. Bob, who had spoken the word, noticed Heero’s sudden interest and smiled. He looked back at Odin. “So Tifa got so upset over it, that we had to...” Now confused, and a little anxious to know what’s going on, Heero opened his mouth and finally spoke, his first words in a few hours: “Um, excuse me, but what did you say?” Both friends smirked, looking at each other, until Bob turned to face Heero. “Oh, I was just telling Din ‘bout this trip Ai and I were supposed to take with the kids.” Heero just stared at him, confused. Did he hear him wrong? He could have sworn he said the word ‘Gundam’... “We were supposed to fly over to Singapore, and then Australia, but then the-” “The Gundams attacked Singapore and we had to cancel.” Tifa finished it for him, sounding quite pissed. Heero swallowed, looking away uncomfortably. “Oh.” “It was supposed to be a present for my sixteenth birthday.” Tifa informed dryly. “Instead, I got a damn dog.” “Hey!” Little Kenny called. “What’s wrong with Jinjy?!” Tifa rolled her eyes. “Well, um,” He had no idea what to say. He knew these people would blame him for something! It was just a matter of time! He knew they couldn’t accept him... he knew it! “I was... I was held by OZ at the time... I didn’t, um...” How can he explain?! Should he apologize? Was it even his fault? Were they really blaming him? What to do??? He gasped as he suddenly felt Odin’s hand rest on his shoulder. He turned his head up to look at him and was surprised to see nothing but compassion and understanding. “Now, what the strange part was,” Ai continued as if nothing happened. “That at the same day of the attack, I came back home from work all upset, and Tifa thought that it was because we decided to cancel the trip. I, of course, denied, and said that everything was just fine.” “I just had a feeling we’ll cancel it.” Tifa added silently, playing around with her food. “And three hours later, the attack happened.” Ai concluded. Kenny smirked, looking up at Tifa. “She’s psychic!” He called, waving his fork like a magic wand. “She’s a witch! Witch! Onesan is a witch!” “Shut up, you brat!” Tifa growled. “Bakamono! Bakamono!” The little boy called, still grinning. “Mom!” “Kenji, be quiet, or go up to your room.” Bob reproached, shaking his head with a sigh. “Kids...” He muttered. Heero held back a smile. From some reason, he was enjoying watching this little family quarrel. It was so... ordinary. He looked up at Odin as the man straightened in his chair, leaning one elbow on the table. “Hey, Kenji, ever heard about following your gut feeling?” The little boy seemed confused for a moment, but then that naughty grin was there again. He hurried to nod his head. “Aa. When I’m hungry and my tummy talks, I follow it ALLLLLLL the way to the kitchen!” He announced with pride. Heero chuckled silently. Ai rolled her eyes, turning to her son. “No, silly boy, he means following your emotions.” The eight-year-old made a face. “Follow where? I’m still hungry.” Now both Tifa and Heero chuckled. “Remember that time you went to sleep over at Nathan’s house?” Ai continued, smiling slightly. “You called us at one AM, demanding to come home.” “Yeah, but I-“ The boy began to defend himself. Bob, who was sitting in the head of the table, but next to little Kenny, ruffled the boy’s hair. “This little crazy nut insisted on coming home at one AM. Wouldn’t let us sleep until we come to pick him up!” Ai smiled at her son. “Remember why you did it?” Kenji bowed his head, as if ashamed or something. “Oh I... I just felt like... like I should be home.” He let out quietly. Heero quirked both eyebrows in question, not so sure he understood what went on. Bob chuckled, grinning at Heero. “The next morning, even before the sun came up, yer crazy old man shows up with a giant jeep, saying we’re going to take a trip around the country.” “Boy, that was fun!” Kenny suddenly jumped up and called, eyes sparkling again, looking up at Heero. “If I would have stayed at Nathan’s then I couldn’t have gone!” Heero, still shocked by the fact that Bob had called Odin ‘your old man’, couldn’t help but smile at the little boy. “So you did what you felt was right, eh?” He asked quietly, catching a slight smile on a certain blond’s lips. Kenji nodded. “Hai! And it was so much fun! It’s too bad you couldn’t come! It was better than any trip to a stupid country!” He sent up a quick glare at Tifa. The girl stuck out her tongue at him. Kenji returned the favor. “So you see, honey, you followed what your heart told you.” Ai concluded. “And I’m about to do the same!” Bob called, getting up. “I’m gonna follow my gut feeling and get that chicken out of the oven- now! I’m starved!” Heero had to smirk as he watched Ai chasing her husband into the kitchen, ranting on and on about what will happen to the food if Bob, out of all people, will touch it. He turned back to watch Tifa and her brother fight quietly while waiting for their meal, and next to him, Odin was emptying another drink. He smiled to himself, remembering another family, similar to this one, from a long time ago. Suddenly, he wondered how they were doing. He didn’t think of them in a LONG time. But he remembered. He remembered the feeling of being a part of a family. He remembered it feeling good. Feeling right. And now, now he was experiencing the same feeling. Sitting here, around this table, with these people, felt so right to him. He could definitely get used to it. Happy about his resolve, Heero turned back to face the table, just as Bob came running in from the kitchen, holding the chicken high up in the air, as Ai chased him with a fork and knife, commanding him to ‘put the chicken down and your hands where I can see them!’. Bowig and shaking his head, he let himself chuckle silently, glancing at Odin from the corner of his eye. Baka ne, you couldn’t have found a better family! They’re all idiots... Looking up, he caught Tifa looking at him. Once she noticed she’d been ‘caught’ she smiled at him kindly. She eyed her parents, still fighting over who will cut the chicken, and mouthed: ‘bakas’. Heero smiled back at her, nodding in agreement. TBC… 1) Okay, in this (part I want you to picture the actor Tom Arnold… 2) Manga “Blind Target”