Shadowed Violet

by Neomina

I don't own Gundam Wing, or Michelle Branch's 'All you wanted'. Gundam Wing belongs to Sunrise, Inc., and 'All You Wanted' to Michelle Branch. Thanks!

"Finished!" Duo chirped brightly, placing down his pencil. Heero ignored the hyper comment and continued typing away at his computer. Frowning, Duo quickly packed away his papers and headed for the small kitchen.

Heero studied the retreating form carefully. How does he stay so happy? We're in the middle of a war, yet he smiles like a schoolboy. Wish I could be more like that... Heero snorted. What're you thinking, Yuy? That boy is so immature, he's probably never been through anything harder than tying his shoe. How did he ever become a Gundam pilot!?

~*~

I wanted

To be like you

I wanted everything...

~*~

Darkness shrouded the small apartment as Heero sat at the small desk once again. Duo slid past. "Be back!" He called, slamming the door behind him.

~*~

So I tried

To be like you

And I got swept away

~*~

Heero quickly accessed the scientists' database. Slipping past an elaborate lock system, he hacked his way into a small file containing pilots' background information. Duo, you're a mystery to me. So let's see...

A small file popped up, Duo's picture grinning broadly at him. "No doubts there." He noted. Scrolling down to a small background check, he skimmed a paragraph. A sentence caught his eye. "Lone survivor... of... Maxwell Church." He thought for a moment. "Maxwell Church?"

Odin leaned against the thin counter, scanning a small article. "Look what the Federation's done now." He commented, showing the small boy. He glanced over it. "What?" "They bombed a civilian facility. Maxwell Church on L2. Damn, that place held orphans." "Any survivors?" "No." The child eyed the article again. His gaze fixed on a small photo. Rubble was strewn everywhere, several decimated bodies hanging limply from the ruins. That picture gave me nightmares for a year, he realized. It also drove me on to fight the Federation.

~*~

I didn't know that

It was so cold and

~*~

A loud slam announced Duo's return. Panicking, Heero jumped to close the program and the screen drifted into black. Duo eyed him curiously. "What's the matter? Looking at dirty pictures?" Chuckling to himself, he turned towards his room. "C-ya, Heero. G' Night." "Hn." Heero closed the laptop gently and headed off to retire, his mind buzzing with thoughts.

~*~

You needed someone to show you the way

~*~

Dreams plagued the 01 pilot; of a young boy, standing in the rubble; of orphans with ivory faces streaked with blood. Of a teenage Duo, gazing at him with cold, blank eyes.

Cold sweat poured down his neck as he jolted awake. That final image, of those lifeless violet eyes burned against his vision. Shaking slightly, he went in search of a very cold drink.

A faint sound drifted through the dark corridor as he headed for his room. It was coming from Duo's room... Heero turned to the door.

~*~

So I took your hand and

We figured out that

~*~

Another faint cry broke through the shrouded darkness. Heero started towards the bed where Duo's form lay.

~*~

When the tide comes, I'll take you away

~*~

He placed a cool hand on the boy's shoulder and Duo stilled. Violet eyes flickered and Heero was relieved to see life in them.

~*~

If you want to

I can save you

~*~

Duo sat up and Heero pulled away uneasily. "What're..." He felt a wetness on his cheeks. Turning away, he wiped them off with his sleeve. Heero studied him carefully, silent. Growing annoyed, Duo snapped, "What is it!?" Heero looked slightly surprised. "I was... I had a dream. Why were you crying in your sleep?" Duo shrugged, avoiding eye contact. "I was?" "You're a pitiful liar, Maxwell."

~*~

I can take you

Away from here

~*~

Wincing, he looked away once again. "Sometimes I wonder." He trained deep violet eyes on him, shadowed with an ancient pain. He pulled his gaze away and glared at the floor. "Could I have stopped them."

~*~

So lonely inside

So busy out there

~*~

Heero sat in a chair across from him. "Stopped who, Duo?"

~*~

And all you wanted

Was somebody who cares

~*~

Heero jumped to see Duo's eyes clouded with tears. "I wasn't there, Heero." He choked. "They came, and I went to get a MS for them. I wasn't there!" He stopped, staring at his hands as if they were coated with blood. "What if I could've saved them."

~*~

I'm sinking slowly

So hurry hold me

Your hand as I have

To keep me hanging on

~*~

Heero placed a reassuring hand on the boy's quaking shoulder. "You couldn't save who?" He asked in a quiet, soothing voice.

~*~

Please can you tell me

So I can finally see?

Where you go when you're gone

~*~

"I left Father, and Sister Helen. I left them for the Federation, and they died... They died!" He broke down, falling onto Heero's shoulder. Heero stiffened, then calmed his nerves. A flash of a picture flared at Duo's touch, of a boy standing in the rubble, a blank and pained look on his face. Heero sighed. "It's all right, you couldn't..."

~*~

If you want to

I can save you

I can take you away from here

~*~

Duo sat quietly at the kitchen table, spooning cereal with a loud clank-splash. The Fruit Loops had long since grown soggy and now disintegrated under the constant stirring. Heero eyed the silent boy uncomfortably overtop of his laptop.

"Short of talk today?" Heero asked. The boy did not reply, only stood and dumped the decimated breakfast in the sink. "I'll be back later." He muttered, heading out the door.

~*~

So lonely inside

So busy out there

And all you wanted

Was somebody who cares

~*~

Bright sunshine spilled over the large campus as he wandered across the bright lawn. He collapsed beneath a thick oak tree with an audible sigh.

~*~

All you wanted was somebody who cares

If you need me, you know I'll be there!

~*~

Why did I do that? Heero probably thinks I'm a complete sissy. He sighed again. Ice Boy doesn't care about anything. He'd never feel a drop of pain- but he's never seen what I have.

~*~

If you want to, I can save you

I can take you away from here

~*~

Heero stood next to the window and watched Duo sit beneath a tree. "Why can't I understand you, Shinigami." He whispered. His heart felt torn- his only friend was in pain, and he couldn't help. The boy flickered past his eyelids, those haunting blank eyes studying the world with their icy chill. What if Duo turns into that. That cold, emotionless... I can't let that happen!

~*~

So lonely inside, so busy out there

And all you wanted was somebody who cares!

~*~

Duo glanced up as Heero approached. He frowned. "Why are you following me." He growled. "I want to help you." He replied carefully. Duo didn't reply. "You're one of the only friends I've got, Duo..." More silence. "... And I've had nightmares lately. Of you, without life. And I realized I didn't want you to change. But you are, and... What's wrong?" "I'm fine."

~*~

If you want to, I can save you...

I can take you away from here.

~*~

"You've always been there to help me; now I'm going to help you." "Leave me alone!" Heero glared at him. "I'm the Perfect Soldier, remember. I can be damn stubborn!" Duo laughed lightly. "Heero Yuy making a joke?!" Heero sighed in relief. "It pays off..." Duo held his head up stubbornly. "Well, If you put it that way..." Their relaxed laughter echoed off the gray walled dorm, shadowed with the golden sunlight.

~*~

So can you tell me...

So I can finally see?

Where you go when you're gone...

~*~