~ Ariel's point of view~
I was called out of the kitchen at a local restaurant that was soon-to-be torn down. The man was someone I had known during my part-time studies and a man that I had no particular liking for. But he came looking for me, a sense of urgency on his face. I followed him out, leaving my friends from the kitchen with a quick wave.
I entered the darkened restaurant, noticing him go to a table by the corner. I made my way over and he motioned me to go into the back party room. As I entered, he followed, carrying a little girl of about five years old in his arms. He picked up a respirator from the side of the door and placed it on the side, handing the beautiful little girl with the light brown hair and the pink shirt with matching pants over to me.
Without thinking, I tried to soothe the little girl, trying to get her to relax since her problem was that she couldn’t breathe. Her adorable face was becoming pale and it was breaking my heart. The parents told the man that she had leaned forward over the table and suddenly couldn’t breathe.
I sat the little girl up, gently rubbing her back, getting her to loosen up slightly. The man got up and left the room, going into the office on the other side of the wall where we were. I heard him call and talk to 911.
The little girl then started wheezing and I heard him dictate orders to me through the wall from the 911 operator. I was told to put the respirator on her. As I did, two of the waitresses that I had known came in and sat down to watch. I barely noticed them at all as I went about trying to help the child. I barely noticed when the ambulance came in and took the little girl, who had died in my arms.
I must have followed them outside because I remember watching the ambulance pull away from the parking lot. But I was alone, completely alone and in complete shock. It slowly registered in my head that I had witnessed the death of an adorable child and that I was left all alone in the parking lot. I felt lifeless as I stood there, left in my shock, not noticing the silent tears that flowed from my eyes.
I felt a pair of arms wrap around me, tucking me close, bringing me down to the asphalt ground, letting me get comfortable and allowing me to cry. My sobs, loud at first, seemed to quiet down as I felt my back being soothed. A male’s voice making soft “shh” sounds in my ear. After several minutes of tears and silence, I pulled away enough to look up with my teary eyes to see who was being a Good Samaritan. I smiled softly, recognizing the familiar, welcomed face of Heero Yuy.
He watched me in silent concern for a few minutes, wiping away some of my tears in gentle motions like a true friend would, before focusing his Prussian blue eyes to my brown ones. He spoke in a serious, yet concerned, voice. “Ariel…you need to be strong now.” His face instantly covered by his soldier mask at my confusion. He spoke in the same concerned serious voice. “Something bad has happened to Duo while you were here. Your senses must have been clouded enough by all this here to let you realize what happened.” He pulled away, holding me at arm’s length away, watching my face as he spoke. “Duo’s in a coma.”
I felt the panic shoot through my body as I turned my face towards the ground. After a moment, I looked back up with crying, fearful eyes and whispered in a hoarse voice, “take me to him Heero. Please?”
Heero looked at me, the sadness in his eyes as he nodded slowly, very aware that I was pushing aside the fear I had for hospitals just to be with my beloved. He gently placed a kiss on my forehead before taking my hand and leading me to his motorcycle, letting me slip on behind him. I wrapped my arms around his waist, loosely, resting the side of my head on his back, letting my tears flow down.
We arrived there, at the hospital after what seemed like hours, but in reality, it was only a few minutes. We got off and Heero took my hand, once again, knowing that I needed his friendship. He looked into my eyes for a moment, seeing the emptiness that I felt, the fear of being where we were, but most of all my fear and worry over Duo. He didn’t speak as he pulled me close, wrapped an arm around my waist and silently led me to Duo’s room.
I took a deep breath as I entered, my eyes instantly tearing as I numbly walked over to Duo’s bed, sat at the edge, and took his limp hand in mine. I stared at his handsome, yet pale, face, caressing it lovingly with my free hand before looking over the rest of his body. The tears streamed down as I looked at the monitor, knowing well enough that it wasn’t going to tell me what I wanted to hear.
I didn’t realize when Angel had joined Heero. They both stood just inside the doorway, quiet and dismal. I just stayed at Duo’s side, watching his face in shock, feeling my whole life drain away from me at a painstakingly slow pace. My tears were silent and I must have looked much like a zombie before I felt Angel’s gentle hand tenderly brush back my mussed hair and whisper in my ear. “He was waiting for you, Hime.” She left my side and joined Heero, both actually crying as I leaned over and just sobbed. I don’t know how long I must have been sobbing for, but when I settled, I sat back up, caressed his face tenderly as I brought his hand up to my lips, kissing each of his fingers. I shifted a bit closer to him, looking at his face with a complete look of adoration for my beloved.
Deep in my heart, I wished that his gorgeous violet eyes would open for me. But after a minute, I knew that my wish was not going to come true. I tenderly brushed back his long chestnut tresses. I touched his face, memorizing it for the billionth time before I kissed his lips softly and sweetly. A few of my tears slipped from my face onto his. I gently wiped them away before I got up and moved towards the door, stopping just once to turn around and whisper to him through my mind, “ Goodbye my beloved. I love you Du.” I left the room, not noticing that Angel and Heero followed me a distance behind.
I walked down the hallways of the hospital, lifeless. I felt as if I didn’t belong in this world anymore. I had no meaning…no purpose. I slowly wandered into the chapel at the far end of hall. I didn’t realize that I was crying as I lightly trailed my fingers over the feet of the statue of Mary, the Miraculous. After a few minutes of thoughtless admirations I sat in one of the pews and began to cry.
My sad sobs must have caught the attention of the priest because I felt him sit next to me and place a tender hand on my shoulder, before lifting my face up with the other to look at him. “Child of God,” he paused when he saw me fighting with myself to not cry anymore. He gave me a sympathetic smile. “Do not keep your feelings locked inside, dear, for it will do great damage to you. You are allowed to cry and you are welcomed to do so here, in the house of God.” He brushed back my hair from my face and made the sign of the cross on my forehead before he stood up and left, leaving me alone.
I shifted in my seat, staring at the cross at the head of the church. My sadness deepened as I started remembering moments that Duo and I had shared. I began to feel the emptiness inside of me, realizing that I couldn’t live without him.
I had commenced crying once again before I felt another hand on my shoulder, a hand on my knee and an arm around my back. I looked up slowly with vacant teary eyes to see Quatre to my right, Wufei crouched down in front of me, and Trowa to my left. I instinctively leaned onto Trowa, letting my wet brown eyes go distant for a moment before whispering to them, “I’m alone again.” I closed my eyes, feeling my life drain away at the same time Duo’s had.
I covered my face and let out a painstaking sob feeling the emptiness overcome me. My connection with Duo was completely gone. After a few minutes to settle in the quiet comfort of three of my closes friends, I uncovered my face, causing the three to gasp slightly, since my face seemed to reflect the same lifelessness that I felt.
Quatre took one of my hands, holding it firmly as he tried to get my attention. I turned sad eyes towards his face, seeing the small smile that he offered me. I just sighed sadly as he leaned over to kiss my cheek and wipe a few tears before he pulled out a cherry oak box from a bag and handed it to me. He spoke in a quiet, shaky, hoarse voice, “Duo wanted you to have this in case anything every happened to him.” He watched me carefully with his sad sky blue eyes as I numbly took the box and held it in my lap.
I wiped away some more of my tears in harsh, jerky motions, causing Wufei to grab my hand and just look at me with a rare gleam of sadness in his eyes. I lost it again and kept crying, letting my tears flow as I opened the wooden box to find a single red rose, outlined in silver glitter. I picked it up and held it to my lips, closing my eyes for a moment, picturing Duo himself giving me the blossom with one of his handsome smiles that always reminded me that I did have something to live for. I let out a shuddered breath, knowing that I would never see that again.
The image must have been very vivid that I had unconsciously sent it over to Trowa, Wufei, and Quatre. All three gasping, realizing more and more the emptiness I was feeling. Trowa closed his eyes, holding me tighter against him. I didn’t resist his touch. I just held the rose in my shaky hand before I pulled out a folded piece of paper.
I clumsily unfolded the sheet, nearly dropping it when I saw Duo’s writing, but Wufei caught the paper in his hand and wiped some more of my tears as he looked up at me with his black concerned eyes.
He must have seen the emptiness of my soul through my eyes because the saddened look on his face even made Quatre and Trowa sigh sadly from it. I turned my face away as the tears streaked down my face. After a moment, Wufei cleared his throat and began reading the letter as Quatre took my hand once again.
His voice was soft, yet slightly shaky as he read. “Dearest Ariel…I can only imagine the pain that you are feeling right now because I am positive that it would reflect the pain that I would feel if it were you in the position that I have been put in.” Wufei paused when he saw my head drop more onto Trowa’s chest and watched when he wrapped his arms around me.
A subtle nod from Quatre got him to continue. “I had promised you that I would take care of you for a very long time and even though I am no longer on Earth with you, I will still keep my promise from above. Babe, I am forever in your heart, your mind and in your soul.” Wufei slowed down, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the strength of the love they had by just a few words. Even though it was always obvious, the letter and the box made it seem to appear in neon lights for everyone to see.
I clenched my hand tightly, holding the single rose for dear life, not wanting to let go. The tears streamed down my face and soaked Trowa’s shirt as he held me firmly against him, soothing my back and ever so often placing a gentle kiss on the top of my head. I wished that I could hear Duo’s voice again but instead, the only one I heard was that of Wufei’s…reading Duo’s letter to me.
Wufei continued, “I promised myself to wait until you arrived to leave, knowing you would want to say good-bye. I was waiting for your touch, knowing it was something we both needed before I left you. I have left you a small gift in the box, along with the rose. I know you will treasure it. I wish I could have given it to you myself, but I will be watching from heaven when you open it, just like how I am watching over you now.”
Trowa loosened his holds on me when I started shifting. I looked into the box once again, after hearing Wufei read of the gift, aware that he had stopped reading again. The tears streaked down my pale, sad face as I pulled out a small box. I opened it up with shaky fingers, not realizing that all three were watching intently. I gasped when I saw a gold ring with a sapphire stone in the middle, with a smaller diamond on each side. There were four tiny amethyst stones at the four corners between the sapphire and the diamonds. I froze there, staring at the ring before I took it out of its velvet case and slipped it on my left ring finger. I closed my eyes, picturing Duo giving it to me before I let out another mournful sob, causing Quatre to pull me over to him and hold me, soothing back my hair and trying to wipe the tears from my eyes as the came.
Wufei cleared his throat lightly before he kept reading slowly, unaware of the tear that had escaped his eye, but also unaware of those that slid down the faces of Trowa and Quatre. All he was aware of were my muffled sobs. He finished the letter slowly. “Remember that I love you Ariel. I know you will never forget me. What we had was very meaningful and I want to thank you for giving me your love so freely. We will be together again soon. I love you, my little Princess. Love always and forever, united in heart, mind, and soul…Duo.”
I felt as if I couldn’t breathe with the last few lines of his letter. I must have become limp in Quatre’s arms because I felt him pull me closer and hold me a bit tighter. Wufei folded the letter and put it back in the box, closing it and placing it back in the bag, not bothering to take the red rose from my hand.
We must have stayed there for quite some time but I didn’t care. I was barely aware of how I had gone from Quatre’s arms into Wufei’s arms and then over to Trowa’s arms. My tears didn’t stop and I didn’t speak. The sense of emptiness in my heart was overwhelming me.
I heard Angel and Heero come inside. Apparently they were watching the entire time in the back. Angel kissed my cheek and wiped some of my endless tears before Heero pulled me up and wrapped his arms around me, hugging me tightly, closing his eyes, letting a single tear fall, realizing just exactly how lost I was feeling. He looked at the others before he led me out of the hospital, Angel by my side with the others close behind. I held my rose in my hand and I thumbed the ring numbly as I let Heero lead me to a distant, dismal place called home.
Heero helped me into Quatre’s limousine after Rashid opened the door. His face showed is concern as Trowa and Wufei got in. He nodded slowly after Quatre informed him of what happened. Heero got out just after handing me over to Trowa. He and Quatre gave each other a nod before Heero took Angel’s hand and led her over to his motorcycle, got on and headed back to the apartment.
Quatre sat on the other side of me. He shared concerned looks with the others. He had tried talking to me telepathically. I heard him but I didn’t answer. I just looked up at him and sighed sadly before shifting my gaze back to the floor of the limo. The entire ride was in silence with the exception of my on-and-off sobbing and the soft whispers of mindless comforts by the boys.
The limousine stopped and Rashid opened the door. Wufei and Trowa got out, both offering to help me step out. I gave them a slight nod of gratitude before I turned to face Rashid. Before he had a chance to move, I threw my arms around him, whispering, “Thank you Rashid. It was a pleasure knowing you.” I wasn’t aware of the gasps made by all four men as I turned and slowly walked towards the apartment.
Heero and Angel had arrived and both had heard me. They watched me go as Heero sighed sadly, never taking his now narrowed eyes off of me. “We can’t leave her alone.” The others nodded their agreement, not wanting to lose yet another of their best friends, and followed me after Rashid left.
I stopped at the foot of the stairs, looking up before I felt my heart shattering once again. I shook my head and went around the building. I walked over to a weeping willow tree and sat down. My back was pressed against the trunk as I pulled my legs in and just stared off into space, the tears streaming down my face as I twirled the rose in my hand.
Wufei made his way over to me after signaling the others to go upstairs. He sat down next to me, not making a sound as he looked at me, his black eyes showing his concern. We sat there in complete silence for a little while before I took his hand, not looking at him, and whispered, “Thank you Wufei.”
He squeezed my hand and offered a rare small smile. “You’re welcome Ariel.” We both got up at the same time. He placed a hand at the small of my back, leading me up to the apartment.
I looked at the others, seeing Midnight and Mariah along with Rose, Darien, Serena, Chesna, Trista, Brenna, and Dick. They were watching my every move but I didn’t really give a damn. I moved away from Wufei and walked into mine and Duo’s room, closing the door behind me. For a few minutes I stood there, tears streaming down my face. I walked a few feet as images of Duo entered my mind, bringing out harsh sobs. I put the rose down on his pillow before I went to the closet, closing my eyes briefly. I opened them slowly as I pulled out his Preventers jacket and held it to my chest. I turned around and collapsed on our bed, crying hysterically, using his jacket as a sense of comfort.
I must have cried myself to sleep, but I didn’t care. I shifted to sit and as I opened my eyes, I noticed Heero sitting at the windowsill, watching me. I turned my face away trying to avoid his gaze only to find that Angel and Darien were watching me from the opposite side of the room.
Angel offered me a small smile as she moved to sit by me, hugging me and rocking me. She didn’t speak, knowing very well that the words she or anyone spoke wouldn’t help me. The emptiness and sadness I was feeling was more than evident.
~
I was constantly watched over for the next two days. I had stopped eating. I couldn’t get myself to gather enough of an appetite for even a small meal because just the thought of food had begun to make me sick. I hadn’t spoken either. All they got from me were small nods, very brief eye contacts, and my tears. I knew they feared what I could do to myself. I blocked all of my connections and the only thoughts that came into my mind were those of Duo. Constantly Duo, which made me cry even more.
It rained the day of Duo’s funeral. Arrangements had been made for a small ceremony. Only the rest of the gundam boys, including Milliardo, the girls, Darien, Serena, the steeds, Dick, and the seven wrestlers attended. They figured out that the more people that showed up, the more I’d shut down on them. I knew they didn’t want that, but I couldn’t help myself from doing so.
I stood there in my long black skirt with my black button-down long-sleeved blouse. My black boots were a little muddy and my long dark brown hair clung to my clothes. I held the red rose in my hands. Apparently the others were surprised that it had not started wilting, but I knew that it wasn’t. I knew that my powers would keep it in blossom forever, to show that true love never really dies.
I was barely coherent of what the priest said and when it seemed like hours, the short ceremony ended and the others had stopped by his casket and paid their respects. I barely noticed when Heero and Angel came up to my sides and slowly led me to it. Angel backed away as Heero wrapped an arm around my waist and leaned in to me, whispering, “We’ll be close by.” After a subtle nod from me, he left my side and I stood there, in front of my beloved’s casket, alone.
Alone. The word seemed to sum up what I was feeling. I trailed my fingers along the smooth, shiny red-oak wood of his casket. The tears never stopped as I dropped down to my knees on the ground, letting out a pain-staking sob that I knew caught the others a little off-guard because I could feel them all stop what they were doing and look at me. I didn’t care though.
I leaned onto the casket, crying to Duo through my mind, asking him what I should do. So much has happened and we were always there for each other. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. He was my strength…for everything, and I was his. My skirt had gotten dirty with the mud but I just kept holding onto the casket and to the rose, not wanting to let him go, but I knew that he was gone. And that was what was killing me. I told him that he knew I couldn’t live without him.
I suddenly stopped sobbing. My tearful eyes glistened with hope and love as I thought I heard Duo speak back to me. No…I knew he spoke to me. I would be with my Shinigami once again and that settled me. I sat back on my heels, with barely a few fingers touching the casket as I stared at it, knowing that my love would be true to his word. And it made me feel better. Much better.
Heero was the first to notice the sudden change in me. He looked at me with slightly widened-eyes before he looked around at the others and knew they noticed it too. A few minutes passed and they noticed that I was much calmer than I was the last couple of days. Heero slowly made his way over to me, putting a hand on my shoulder and looking down at me with a slightly confused look in his eyes.
I looked up into his Prussian blue eyes with a hopeful look on my face, which I know startled him. I took his hand and stood up, getting ready to leave the cemetery. He nodded at me before I stopped and turned to Duo’s casket once again. I moved over to where I knew his head was and I kissed it, whispering softly “I love you.” I turned and took Heero’s hand again, nodding that I was ready. Despite his confusion, he led me over to the others and we made our way into the awaiting limousine in silence.
~
We were all back in the apartment by the early afternoon. The wrestlers had to return back for their evening show and Dick had a call to duty. The only ones remaining were the gundam pilots, Milliardo, Angel, Chesna, Brenna, Trista, Rose, Darien, Serena, and the steeds.
I went into my bedroom after the others settles to change my clothes. I placed the rose back on his pillow, staring at it as I played with the ring he had given me. I tossed my skirt and my blouse in the hamper before pulling out a pair of fitted blue jeans and putting them on. I slipped on my black sneakers and went over to the closet, peering into it before I pulled out a white baby-tee with the French word, “Chère,” written across in red.
I sat on the bed, leaning back against the headboard with my flower in hand. Duo’s jacket was laying to the side where I had left it that morning. I put it on and closed my presently tearfree eyes. Images of Duo filled my mind and a few tears slipped from my eyes despite his promise to me. I could have sworn I felt his arms wrap around me, soothing my back, giving me the comfort I was yearning for. I felt secure.
My eyes turned red as I narrowed them towards the door when I heard it slowly open, angry at the intrusion of such an intimate moment. Heero’s eyes widened in surprise at my glare before he looked at me closely. It seemed as if he was able to sense another’s presence for a brief moment before I let out another sob.
Heero closed the door and quickly wrapped me in his arms. I clenched my eyes shut as he did so, still feeling Duo’s embrace. I slowly opened my eyes and looked up at Heero. He kissed my forehead after looking at the sadness held deep in my eyes. He quietly whispered to me, “I lost my best friend…I don’t want to lose another.” He held me tighter against him.
My tears ended slowly as I whispered back, “It’s too late Heero. You’ve already lost me.” I felt him drop his forehead on my shoulder before I continued. “I am nothing without him, Heero. I have no purpose in…”
Heero interrupted me. “Yes…yes you do. Your destiny…your friends love you Ariel.” He turned my face to look at him. “Ar…please don’t kill yourself. Promise me that...please promise me that.” His eyes were begging me as he held onto me, fearing what I would and could do.
My eyes softened as I looked up at him, placing the rose back on the bed. “I promise you Heero. I will not kill myself.” I offered him a smile, which he returned slightly. “I don’t need to do that. He told me that he's coming for me.” I smiled more before I got off the bed, opened the door, and went out, nodding to the others before I went into the kitchen.
I sensed the shock in Heero but I shrugged it off. I wanted to relax my mind a little bit before my beloved beckoned me to join him. So I sat in the kitchen, with a cup of strawberry jell-O and ate it silently.
~
Heero blinked slowly after I had left. He shook his head in disbelief before he got up and joined the others in the living room. He looked around for a moment before he spoke, “She lost it completely.” He sighed sadly.
Darien noticed the others get a bit more upset. He knew very well was going on since I had opened myself up to him as I sat in the kitchen. He spoke quietly to Heero. “No, she hasn’t Heero. She still has her mentality and it’s strong.” He turned his eyes away when Heero and the others looked at him in shock.
Angel sighed sadly. “We all know how close they were to each other. Even I don’t know how long she’ll handle not having Duo with her.” She leaned onto Heero, wrapping her arms around him tightly.
Darien turned away. “Long enough.” He stood up and went into the kitchen to join me, leaving the others staring after him before they started talking among themselves, figuring out ways to cheer me up and to keep a constant watch over me.
~
I smiled up at my twin. I put the cup down and hugged him tightly, crying softly onto his chest. I was grateful that he didn’t speak, just held me close to him. I was aware that he knew exactly what I was feeling. When I finally felt a bit more at ease, I pulled away just a little to look up into his intense, yet sad, sapphire blue eyes.
He gently wiped a tear that had managed to leave my eye and spoke. “I will always love you, Ariel. You’re my twin and I know that you will always be in my heart and that you will always be watching over me and the others.” He sat me down and knelt in front of me, taking my chin in his fingers as he looked at me closely. After a few moments, he whispered, “I would not hesitate to join Serena if it were me in the same position that you are in now. I know it’s not easy living without your soul mate.” He gave me a sad smile. “When I first heard about Duo’s passing…” He paused when I had closed my eyes and took in a shaky breath. When I had squeezed his hand to let him know that I was okay, he continued. “I knew that you had blocked me and Midnight…and basically everyone else off. But when I first heard that he died…I knew that you died too Ariel.” He offered me a warm smile. “You belong with him. Take this chance as a blessing and a miracle from the God you so much believe in, that Duo is coming back for you.” He hugged me again and kissed my forehead. “You deserve to be happy. I know you will be soon.”
I smiled as I held him close. “Thank you for understanding Darien. I will never stop loving you or the others.” After a brief moment of silence, I whispered to him. “I’ll make sure you know how I’m doing. I promise.” With that, Darien nodded and I felt his warm tears, a mix of sadness, understanding and satisfaction, fall from his eyes and land on my head.
~
The next couple of days were uneventful. I barely did anything. I ate tiny bits. I hardly slept. I rarely left the apartment. And if I did leave, it would just be to the garage or to the little nearby park. All the while, I was never alone. I knew someone was always watching my every move. Apparently they still feared that I would attempt suicide despite of what I had told Heero. It didn’t bother me that they didn’t really believe me, in fact, at least it showed me that they cared.
I hadn’t had any further contact with my beloved, but I knew that he didn’t forget about me. Duo had promised me something…and Duo never, ever lies. So, I waited patiently until it was time. I always kept the rose that he gave me close by and I never took off the ring. Yes, I know that he didn’t actually give them to me personally. I know that he had left them for me with Quatre in that box. But deep down inside, I felt that he did give them to, even though at the moment when I received them, I didn’t feel anything from him.
It was at the funeral when I felt like I had the connection back; when Duo told me he would come for me. True, it wasn't like what it used to be, but I felt his love and his soul comforting mine and I knew that I was going to be okay…all the way up until the day he would come for me.
It was exactly a week after Duo’s death at the hospital when I woke up early in the morning. I sat up in my bed…our bed...and looked around the dimly lit room. There was a complete sense of peace and love flowing through my veins. When my eyes adjusted, I saw that I wasn’t alone and as soon as I shifted to get off the bed, I heard Trowa’s soft voice.
“Need something Ariel?” He spoke softly as he slowly made his way to my side. He watched me intently as I slowly shook my head.
“No…I just couldn’t sleep anymore.” I answered him. It was true…I couldn’t sleep because I felt Duo's soul telling me that today was the day. I just didn’t feel like I needed to tell Trowa that because I knew that they all thought I was losing my mind. Everyone except Darien.
I turned on the lamp that was on the nightstand before looking up at Trowa and giving him a heartfelt smile. I giggled at the shocked look that appeared on his face. "Is it so bad for me to smile now?" I teased.
Trowa returned the smile and shook his head slightly. "No. It's not. You just surprised me. It has been a long while since I have seen one of those beautiful smiles." He took my hand, squeezing it gently. "I take it you are not going back to sleep." When I nodded he stood up. "Then I will leave you for now since I am most positive that you are going to want to change and such." I nodded again, watching as he made his way out of the room, closing the door behind him.
I sat at the edge of the bed, looking around the room. I smiled to myself before I got up and went to the closet, putting on a white lace bra on the way. I rummaged around a bit, trying to figure out what to wear. I decided that I should wear something nice since it was the day that I was going to be reunited with my beloved.
I put on a pale blue skirt that flowed down to my ankles. It's soft cotton material just hugged my hips and dropped loosely; it seemed to enjoy fluttering out whenever I decided to turn around. I looked through a couple of my tops, before pulling out and putting on a white tank top that matched the same material as the skirt. It was just above my belly button. The outfit revealed enough of my midriff. I smirked to myself, knowing that I would shock the others since I had stopped wearing anything remotely revealing since the day Duo died.
I knelt down and sorted through my many shoes. I pulled out a pair of thick-heeled white sandals with the cork-like bottoms. I slipped them on, wrapping the white straps all the way up around my calves, tying them in a secure bow. I stood back up, three inches taller. I smoothed down my top and my skirt before making my way over to the dresser.
I sat down on the chair I pulled over, reaching to turn on the small lamp that was on the mirror. I put on a light coat of make-up, a light tinge of blue on my eyelids. I colored my lips in a cranberry-like color before reaching to take my brush. I pulled out the loose scrunchy that I had on and set it on the dresser. I started running the brush through my hair, closing my eyes, remembering how good it felt when Duo used to do it for me.
When I opened my eyes, I stared at myself in the mirror. I realized that for the first time in one complete week, I was happy. And actually, I was not just happy, I was very happy. I fingered the pendant on my necklace for a moment, knowing that I was basically leaving all my duties behind. But I knew what I had to do. I couldn't do it without Duo and I would have probably died in one of my battles. It was not yet my time to become Queen of the Universe as deemed by my destiny. That day would come and I would be ready.
I picked up my rose, placing it in its accustomed place behind my ear before I turned off both lamps in the room and left, heading into the living room to see that everyone was there. I smiled at them all, feeling the sparkle returning to my brown eyes. I winked as I called out, "Bon matin, mes amis."
Angel smiled at me. "Well, someone seems to be a little more happier."
I nodded as I went over and hugged my best friend, before making my way around, giving everyone a hug and kiss on the cheek. I didn't know when I was going to leave, but I knew that now was the perfect time to say my farewells silently without ever telling them so. They wouldn't have believed me anyway. And I had managed to get used to that.
Heero was the last person I went to. When I hugged him, he held me close and then pulling back to look deep into my eyes. I raised an eyebrow at his scrutiny before he gave me a soft smile. "Sleep well?"
"Hai, I did, merci." I told him, winking. My statement got a couple of laughs since I had returned to using different languages in a sentence. I made my way to sit between Darien and Wufei on the couch. I took Darien's hand, squeezing it gently. I knew the others noticed but I also knew they figured it was just a regular action. In reality, I was letting Darien know that today was the day. We spoke a few moments using our telepathy. I had only opened up to him, keeping the few others blocked.
We all sat in silence for a couple of minutes before the girls decided to put on a movie. I sat back, leaning my head onto Wufei's shoulder as I watched. They put on one of my favorites, The Blues Brothers, and they were content to see me actually verbally act out the entire flick.
After the movie ended, most of them got up to stretch. Instead I stayed sitting there with Darien by my side, not wanting to let go of my hand. I stifled a yawn and slowly closed my eyes, resting against my brother's arm. I felt the room go still, knowing that they were all, once again, watching me.
Darien shifted to wrap an arm around my waist, pulling me close to him, running his hand up and down my side slowly. He knew it was time. The others didn't. He spoke to me via telepathy. "I'll hold you until the end. We'll meet again in the next life. We've found each other once, we can do it again. I love you Ariel."
I didn't look up at him as I answered back silently to him. "Thank you Darien...for everything. I love you too, my dearest brother."
A soft white light appeared in the center of the living room. I saw the others look at it in shock; I smirked slightly. One would figure with all the things the senshi do, a light appearing wouldn't shock them. But it did. What shocked them more was seeing the silhouette of a person. My heart skipped a beat, knowing exactly who it was.
Their jaws dropped and their eyes widened when they realized that the silhouette was Duo, wearing white pants and a white long sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up. He had on a light blue shirt that zipped up with a silver ring underneath the other. His long chestnut hair was in a neat braid and his violet eyes were soft. He looked like an angel in the gentle glow.
I sat up, holding Darien's hand in one of mine. A small smile crossed my face and tears welled up in my eyes seeing my beloved. I gasped when he reached down and caressed my cheek. I closed my eyes at the touch, the tears streaming down before I turned into the touch, kissing his hand. I sensed him crouch down in front of me, causing me to turn my face towards him, opening my eyes to meet his.
Each of the boys grabbed a hold of their girlfriends' hand, shocked. A sense of understanding seemed to pass everyone as they realized that I had not gone crazy when I told Heero that Duo was coming for me. They knew it now and I sensed that they all wished they had believed me.
Duo took my free hand in his, squeezing it gently. He glanced around the room, smiling softly at everyone before making eye contact with Heero, his best friend. Violet eyes held Prussian blue eyes. No words spoken but a silent understanding. When Heero had offered a small smile, Duo turned to look back at me, raising an eyebrow at me. His voice once again in my head. "Are you ready my princess?"
My breath caught at the lovely sound. I looked around the room, making eye contact with everyone, pausing a moment to look into the eyes of my guardian, Midnight. After giving him a small smile, I turned my eyes up to Darien, who kissed my temple before I turned back to meet Duo's, smiling softly. I mentally told him. "Yes Du. I'm ready." I saw a couple of tears flow down from his soft eyes. They were tears of happiness.
I squeezed Darien's hand as Duo leaned in and kissed me lightly on the lips. His eyes darkened with love and were slightly closed. I got goosebumps from the feel of his breath on me. The tears streamed down my face as I waited to be reunited once again completely with the love of my life. He cupped my face in his soft hands and leaned in once again, giving me a soft, long kiss, taking me with him.
I felt his ethereal light surround me, warming my soul as I closed my eyes. With my spirit departing, my body gently slumped back onto the couch. My hand went limp in Darien's. My human body took its last breath before passing away completely as the pale light disappeared.
The entire room was quiet. They looked at my lifeless body before focusing on Darien. His face was covered with tears but he nodded slowly. His voice broke the silence. "True love can never be separated. You both needed to be together in order to be complete and at peace. I know you will watch over us, Ariel. We will meet again next time. Rest well, my sister, dear Princess." He slowly got up and made arrangements to have my body taken away.
The others cried softly. The room otherwise remained silent for a long while. Before they knew it, my body was gone and Darien had confirmed the arrangements for my funeral. They all realized that Darien was the only one that had believed me and they felt bad because of it.
Darien finally spoke. "Don't feel bad. Ariel told me that she didn't want you all to. Believe me. My sister is one you can never get rid of. She will always be in your hearts and in your minds." He gave them all a soft smile. He looked over at Midnight opening the telepathic connection with my black-winged unicorn. The two silently agreed to comfort one another.
~
My funeral was two days after I had left my body. It was a small, yet beautiful ceremony. My gravesite was right next to Duo's. The morning sun was shining brightly.
Duo and I watched from heaven. He held me close to his body. Both of us were silent. When the ceremony ended and the priest departed, we looked deep into each other's eyes for a moment. He then took my hand and we both disappeared from our spot above.
Everyone was trying to comfort each other, huddled close together surrounding the site when a soft pale white light appeared in front of them. When all their attentions were held, Duo and I appeared in front of them. No gasps, no shocks, just soft, intent looks.
I smiled at them all, never feeling bad for leaving. Odd, since normally, I would have probably been beating myself up for it. I spoke softly, "Don't feel like you lost me. I am always with you. I love you all very much and I hope you all finally understand that I needed to do this." I smiled a bit more when they all nodded. I looked at Angel and Heero, two of my best friends, before looking around. I made eye contact with the wrestlers, a tear falling from my eye when I saw Rock nod his approval. I saw Darien put a hand on his shoulder before he looked at me, his sapphire eyes speaking volumes of the love he had for me, his twin sister. I nodded slightly at him before I looked back up at Duo, smiling softly when he put his hand on the small of my back, the same possessive/protective action that had always made me feel safe and secure.
Duo spoke to them quietly. "We will both watch over you all. I needed her just as much as she needed me. Our God knew that and he gave me permission to call upon her." He looked down at me with soft violet eyes, yet remained speaking to the group. "I would have done anything to be with her again. Just like I know that she would have done anything to be with me. HE didn't want to keep us apart."
I kept my eyes locked with Duo's as I continued. "I thanked HIM for keeping my soul complete. HE truly is an amazing God. It was an honor meeting HIM. I know that when your times come, you will all like HIM." I knew that different members of the group believed in different religions, but whether it was God, or Allah, or anything else, HE was incredible.
We turned to look at the group once more before smiling at them. We nodded our heads once as a sign that we had to leave. I blew them a kiss and Duo winked at them all as we faded with the pale white light. The tears were gone from everyone's eyes. They all knew that neither Duo nor I would have wanted anymore of them. We wanted them to be happy and they knew it.
We silently held each other close in heaven as we settled to watch our friends slowly depart the cemetery. The sun kept its bright glow for the rest of the day, slowly fading as nighttime came. The moon taking up its position in the sky over my former home.
I looked up at Duo's face, smiling softly before a serious look crossed over my brown eyes. "I would have given anything to be with you again. I am so sorry that I wasn't there when the accident happened Duo."
Duo lifted a finger to my mouth, stopping me from any further speaking. "Don't be sorry my love. We're together again and that's all that matters. I love you, Ariel." He took my hand in his, holding it over his heart as he gently trailed the backs of his fingers on his other hand over my cheek. "I love you with all my heart and my soul."
I grinned up at him. "As I love you with mine, Du." He closed the space between us and kissed me. It was a soft, long, and deep kiss. He held me tightly against him before pulling away slightly to look down at me with a loving gaze. His winning grin appeared on his face and I melted against him.
~
We continued to watch over our friends day in and day out. They were growing stronger and they felt comforted by the knowledge that they had two angels watching over them. It made myself and Duo feel more at ease.
Even in heaven, one of my dreams came true. Duo asked me to marry him. I said yes. The good Lord himself performed the ceremony. The bond between two souls in love was indefinitely sealed. Everything, for once, seemed right and I felt complete.
The End...