“And the star attraction of our fine circus, Trowa and Catherine!” the sibling duo rode out to the center of the ring on large white horses. Trowa flipped off of his horse and caught Cathy as she jumped off hers. They bowed, Trowa in his clown costume and Cathy in her leotard. The clown took his place in front of the large target set up on one side of the center ring. The young girl flashed her raser sharp throwing knifes then took aim.
The audience took in a deep breath as she let the first knife fly, and hit its mark inches away from Trowa’s right arm. The spectators applauded as Catherine let several other knifes fly at her younger brother, each one coming close to cutting the emotionless clown. She smiled as she lifted the last of her knifes and took careful aim. Hold still Trowa.
Trowa looked at the delighted faces of the on lookers. One of them caught his eye. It can’t be… Catherine let the last knife from her hand, Trowa snapped out of his train of thought as the sharp blade flew at him. He reacted to slow and it grazed his left cheek leaving a long bleeding gash. The audience and Catherine gasped at the sight. Trowa, with still no emotion on his face, walked away from the bull’s eye to the center of the ring. He bowed again and held his hand out to his astonished sister. She quickly recomposed herself and bowed in the spotlight with her little brother.
Trowa helped his sister on to her horse then hopped on his. As he rode off he looked back to the audience. She’s gone…
“Trowa, are you alright?” Cathy looked at the blood running down from her brother’s cheek. “We’ve been through this before, you should have moved.”
“It’s nothing. Sorry, I got distracted.” His caring sister
began to wipe his wound off with a wet rag. That had to have been her, Thought
Trowa, Midii Une.
“There, much better.” Catherine’s comment brought Trowa out of his daze. He lifted his hand to his cheek; instead of feeling a long cut, there was a large bandage.
“Thanks a lot Cathy, what would I do without you?” The tall boy stood up and gave his sister a hug.
“You wouldn’t be getting hurt,” she said smiling. Trowa gave a small grin and started off for his trailer to change.
After changing into a white tank top and loose blue jeans, the ex-gundam pilot sat down on a couch with a grunt. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small piece of a gold cross with a length of gold chain. He turned it over in his hand. This isn’t the first time he had thought of her. Where are you now, Midii? He remembered when he rescued her from the forest during the battle. They were young, maybe six or seven years old. It was back when he was known as No Name, when he fought with the rebels. The memory that seemed to stand most dominant in his mind was the argument with the small blond girl in the woods. He had smashed the cross necklace and the transmitter she wore around her neck, and then left her by herself in the forest.
Every time he thought of her his throat tightened and he felt a burning deep down. He always thought this feeling was hatred for the little blond girl he once knew. He had good reason to hate her, she had almost killed him. She was a spy with a transmitter; the enemy knew where the rebels were at all times. But, he thought, if I hate her, why can’t I forget her? Was that really her I saw, or was it my mind playing games with me?
“Trowa,” Catherine’s call took him out of his confusing thoughts. “Trowa, phone.”
“Thanks Cathy. Hello?”
“Trowa!” came the voice on the other line.
“Quatre, wow, it’s been a while,” replied the green-eyed boy.
“I know! I’m on Earth for a while and was wondering if you wanted to meet Duo, Wufei, Miss Relena, Hildy, Sally, and I at the coffee shop downtown,” invited the Arabian boy. It had been a while since they had all gathered.
“Heero’s not going to be there?” Trowa asked.
“I’m not sure. I’m guessing not, but you never now with that guy,” replied Quatre.
“Alright, sounds good. Can Cathy come?” inquired the tall boy.
“Of course!” came Quatre. They set up a time for the next day and said good bye.
The next day Trowa and Catherine walked to La Rose Café downtown. When they got there they were greeted with smiles and hugs. No one had changed drastically, Duo and Hildy were together and working a parts shop. Relena was working hard to become the best vice foreign minister the Earth Sphere had ever seen, Wufei and Sally were head of the Preventors. Quatre had taken the place of his father in the Winner Corporation. Trowa looked around, no Heero, that wasn’t surprising. Every time he looked at Relena she would be quietly stirring her tea, he knew exactly what, or to be more precise, who she was thinking about.
Quatre leaned over to Trowa. “Don’t worry about Miss Relena, we’ve got a surprise for her that will take that look off her face,” he whispered to the Latin boy with a wink.
“No way!” Duo stood up and pointed down the road. Everyone looked but Relena. She was still thinking of a certain pilot, she didn’t want disappointment.
A single red rose dropped on the table in front of her. “What…” She stood up to come face to face with the Japanese pilot she loved. He grabbed her in a tight hug. Everyone saw the tears slide down her face. “Heero, I thought I’d never see you again! I thought you had left me,” she said into his chest.
“I could never leave the one I love,” came the reply. He gave her a kiss on the top of her head. Everyone at the table was smiling, except for Wufei. A teary eyed Sally quickly took care of that. The couple took their seats next to each other; they held each other’s hands under the table.
Trowa was happy to see them together. It’s about time, he thought to himself. As he looked around the table he saw everyone happy with their significant other. Duo and Hildy, Wufei and Sally, Relena and Heero, even Quatre and Catherine were staring at each other from across the table. He felt so alone. As everyone talked his mind set back to Midii. Why was she always on his mind?
“Trowa, what happened to your cheek?” asked Hildy.
“Huh? Oh that, a little knife accident,” he looked over at Catherine who was blushing.
“Hey! It wasn’t my fault!” She shot back.
“I know, I was distracted yesterday at during the routine,” he said with a small smile.
“What distracted you? Was it a cute girl? Hmmm?” teased Sally, she batted her eyes at him.
“ No, it was um… it was,” everyone laughed at the speechless pilot. He blushed a bright crimson.
“ It’s ok Trowa, we understand,” smiled Cathy. Soon the table was on another topic, leaving Trowa to his thoughts once again.
After a few hours of chatting Quatre paid the bill, everyone said their good byes and keep in touches. Heero and Relena left hand in hand, Hildy and Duo started off for their house. Wufei and Sally departed for Preventor’s headquarters, Wufei’s arm around Sally’s waist.
“Trowa, I’m going to show Quatre around the town. I’ll be back in a few hours, alright?” asked Catherine.
“Go ahead, have fun,” replied her little brother with a wink to Quatre, who blushed. The two walked down the street a little way before Cathy grabbed the blond boy’s hand. Trowa smiled to himself, then looked around. Since Cathy wasn’t going to be back for a while he thought he’d walk around and do some thinking.
As he walked down the busy street he passed many couples. He may be the quiet one in the group, but he was human. He wished he had someone to hold close, to call his own. Midii… No, stop, she’s gone. Remember, she tried to kill you, you hate her. But if I do then why? Why is she always there, mocking me inside? Is she thinking of me? Does she wonder where I am? Don’t be so foolish. To her you were nothing but a No Name. He sighed and looked at the slowly setting sun. He started back for the circus grounds.
As he approached the big tent a red convertible speed away. He caught a glimpse of the young blond woman in the driver’s seat. He stopped dead in his tracks, Midii? No I couldn’t be. He shook it off and continued on his way to the trailer he shared with his sister.
“Boy,” the ringmaster stepped out of his trailer when he saw Trowa walk by. The tall boy stopped. “A young girl stopped by looking for some one by the name of No Name. Do you know whom she was talking about?” he asked.
The young pilot was taken back by the question. “Um, no sir, I don’t know anyone by that name.” He walked off. A million thoughts flew in his head. It was Midii! It has to be her.
“Hey Trowa,” called his sister. “Quatre and I were thinking it would be fun if we all went on a group date at The Garden tomorrow night. Do you want to come?”
“Well, um, that would be great. Just one minor detail, I’m single,” Trowa retorted in monotone.
“I know that,” Cathy rolled her eyes. “I was thinking this would be good you. Why don’t you ask Liz to go with you?” She suggested gesturing to the small cute girl who was practicing her rope act. “I’ve been telling her too that she needs a date. This may be your guy’s lucky night,” she said playfully poking him in the ribs. He shrugged.
“What harm could it do?” He sighed and walked over to the young trapeze artist. Catherine watched with her arms crossed over her chest, smiling.
That night Quatre pulled up to pick everyone up in a white limo. The blond boy got out to assist Catherine into the back of the car; Trowa also helped his date into the limo. “Where are Heero and Relena?” inquired Duo after they started on their way to the restaurant.
“They’re going to be meeting us there. Heero was going to pick Relena up from her office,” answered the Arabian boy.
“Isn’t it great that they’re finally together? Took them long enough,” added Sally.
“Trowa, who is your lovely date?” asked Hildy.
“Oh, sorry. This is Liz. She’s our star trapeze artist at the circus. Liz, this is Hildy, Duo, Sally, Wufei, and Quatre,” introduced Trowa as he pointed each of them out.
“Nice to meet you all,” said the shy girl with a bow of the head and a smile. They pulled up to the The Garden and pilled out on to the sidewalk. Heero and Relena walked out of the restaurant to greet them.
“Hey guys! So Heero hasn’t killed you yet Lena?” joked Duo. Heero gave the American pilot the death glare and Hildy elbowed him in the ribs. Relena just laughed and grabbed Heero’s hand. “Ouch! What was that for?” asked a winded Duo. Everyone rolled their eyes.
Thanks to Quatre and his thoughtfulness they were all seated immediately. The boys in tuxedos helped their dressed up dates into their seats, then sat down themselves. It wasn’t long before someone struck up a lively conversation. As everyone ate and talked Trowa found him self drifting again. He quickly brought himself back, he was on a date, he couldn’t be thinking of someone else.
As the night wore on Trowa took to gazing out the window to the dark street. Slowly the streetlights came on illuminating the passers by. People briskly walked along the sidewalks eager to get home to their families. He let out a quiet sigh. As it got later less people were seen walking. The group started to get ready to leave. Trowa pulled Liz’s chair out for her, but something outside the window caught his eye. Midii?
“Trowa? What is it?” Liz asked after seeing the look on his face.
“I’m sorry.” With that Trowa ran out of the restaurant. Was it really her I saw? He dashed across the empty street to the spot he thought he had seen the illusive blond woman. When he got there she was nowhere to be seen. Which way did she go? He looked up the road on both side of him. To the left were shops and to the right were some houses. He took one more look down the road and headed right. I really hope I’m right.
“What do you think happened to Trowa?” asked Relena back at the restaurant.
“I don’t know, but I’ll find out. I’m so sorry about this Liz.” Catherine looked at everyone before walking out the door to follow her brother.
Why am I doing this? Trowa asked himself. As he jogged through the residential area it started to rain, slowly at first then harder as time passed. “Where are you?” he whispered into the rain. He stopped under a streetlight to get a feel for where he was going. From across the street came the sound of soft crying. He squinted through the rain to see who it was; all he saw however was a dark form. It looked like a woman, and the cries sounded feminine. Midii…
From a distance came the sound of tires squealing. The sound resonated through the neighborhood as it got closer. The circus performer’s gaze at the young woman was averted as a large pick-up truck came careening out of control around the corner. It was swerving, jumping on the curve and hitting small trees planted in front yards. As the Latin boy looked on he realized the driver had fallen asleep at the wheel. The truck didn’t stop and appeared to be aiming right for the young crying woman. “Nnooo!!” Trowa ran and leapt, hitting the windshield. This woke the driver who immediately grabbed the steering wheel. Trowa flipped off the road and grabbed the girl sending both of them rolling into a front yard. Catherine had just come around the corner and saw the whole thing happen. Oh my gosh…The truck drove off.
The two bodies on the lawn were not moving. “Hmm.” Trowa sat up over the girl, an intense pain made him grab his side.
“Why did you save me?” The question was barely audible; the young girl still had her face in the grass. She did not dare to look up at her savior.
“We are… the same,” Trowa gasped in between the pulse of the pain in his bleeding side. The girl’s eyes grew large in disbelief.
We are the same, the words echoed in her mind. Those words she had heard those many years ago from a boy she loved. “No Name?” she asked in a whisper. She turned and was caught in the gaze of piercing green eyes. He sat over her in silence, water dripping from his face onto hers. She suddenly turned her eyes down to the ground. Trowa put his free hand onto her face, lifting it back up from the grass to his concerned face.
“Why do you turn away?”
“Again I almost get you killed,” she replied looking at the blood flowing from his side.
“Indeed, but this time I almost died on my own free will. Aaaa,” he winced as a sharp pain hit him.
“Why No Name? Why do you do this?” She dropped a fist to the ground. Tears spilled over the edges of her down cast eyes. They caught the light from a nearby streetlight. “I disserve to die,” she whispered, “ I couldn’t save my father from his illness, my brothers were taken from me, I have nothing left to live for. My happiness is dead.” Trowa brought a hand up and whipped away the tears that were running down her face. I love him more than I did when we were children, thought Midii at the touch of his hand. Yet I am still unable to tell him that I do.
Trowa stood up slowly and reached out the hand that wasn’t holding his still bleeding side. Midii reluctantly took it and was lifted to her feet. Instead of letting go, the tall boy hugged her close. What… She stood rigid then relaxed feeling his warmth. Soon she was sobbing on his shoulder, he stroked her hair. “I still can’t say ‘I love you’ to the person I love,” she whispered as she settled down.
“Neither can I,” Trowa whispered into her ear. She pulled back so she could look into his eyes. At that moment the only sound that could be heard was the steady falling rain.
“No Name?”
“Trowa, I have a name, a family, I have a home. I am no longer empty.” He raised his hand to her face and leaned down to her. She shut her eyes as her lips were caught with his.
Catherine watched from a dark spot across the street. Oh Trowa, is this what has been eating away at your heart? She smiled and turned away slowly leaving the childhood lovers to their world in the pouring rain.
They pulled away still lost in each other’s eyes. Trowa winced, the pain and loss of blood was too much for his body to handle. He collapsed in Midii’s arms. “Trowa? Trowa!” She held him and lowered him to the grass. “Someone help! Oh Trowa, you can’t leave me again.”
Cathy hadn’t walked long before she heard a cry for help. “Trowa? Oh no.” She ran with all she had back to where her little brother lay unconscious. “Quick, knock on doors and call 911,” she ordered Midii who ran off. “Hang in there little brother, helps coming.” She held pressure on his side until the ambulance came.
As soon as the injured pilot was put into a recovery room and guests were allowed to see him everyone was standing outside the door. “Intebation, chest tube, blood transfusion, ribs set and nailed, emergency surgery, coma,” listed Sally as she read his charts.
“English translation please,” requested Duo.
“This boy’s lucky to be alive. He went through a lot of nasty stuff. He’s going to be out for only God knows how long,” she replied. Midii and Catherine were the first to his bedside.
“He looks…”
“…horrible,” Midii finished Catherine’s sentence then broke down crying. Trowa’s concerned older sister held Midii as if she was her little sister. Quatre laid his hand on Cathy’s shoulder. Heero held a weeping Relena, while Duo held Hildy’s shaking hand. Sally and Wufei were out in the hall talking to the doctor. Not again, No Name, Trowa come back to me. This is all my fault. Why? These were the thoughts that went around in Midii’s head.
“Visiting hours are over, I’m going to have to ask you all to leave. You can come back at nine tomorrow morning,” came the tired voice of the night nurse. Midii grabbed Trowa’s hand and held it tight.
“I’ll be back,” she whispered, kissing his cheek.
“Come on, let’s get you cleaned up and warm again,” said Catherine taking the young girl’s hand. Quatre drove everyone home the same way he had picked them up. He walked Cathy and Midii to Catherine’s trailer.
“He’s a fighter, he’ll be back soon,” confirmed Quatre. He gave Catherine a kiss on the cheek and walked back to his car.
“Here, you can sleep in Trowa’s bed, I’m sure he won’t mind,” said Catherine with a smile. The violet-eyed sister had helped Midii get clean and dry. Midii now lay in her love’s bed, waiting.
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Trowa opened his eyes slowly, his naked body floated in blackness. The cold of the emptiness surrounding him sent a shiver down his spine. Where am I? “Midii,” he choked out. His voice sounded so far away. He looked around, nothing but cold black.
From nowhere three bright lights shone from different directions around him. He squinted against the sudden rays. From the lights stood three silhouetted figures. From one light came a voice, “Triton, my child, come to me.” A woman that resembled Catherine, but with an unearthly glow, stood with hand outstretched.
The boy reached for his mother’s hand, as their fingertips touched chains shot out of one of the other lights. They wrapped tightly around Trowa’s ankles and pulled him back. Frantically he looked down only to come face to face with the gundam Heavy Arms. The young clown clawed at the empty air, his mother’s angel called his name, beckoning him back. Below the clanking of chains and yelling of the mother came the faint cry of a young girl.
“Trowa, we are the same. You can’t leave me now.”
Midii. Trowa pulled with all of his strength against the chains. He lost her once; he wasn’t going to lose her again. The roar of the evil machine grew, along with the painful cries of his mother. “I’m sorry mother.” He reached for Midii, when their hands met Trowa’s limp body was engulfed in a blinding light. The light grew until the blackness was a brilliant white.
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“Midii!” Trowa’s eyes snapped open. He tried to take in a deep breath but choked on the breathing tube. The beeping of the heart monitor grew more rapid. The young boy grasped the tube with both hands and pulled it out of his mouth coughing. He quickly ripped the heart monitors from his chest and the IV from his arm. Quietly he padded over to the frantic heart monitor and set it to a normal rhythm. He dashed back to his bed as he heard the footsteps of the night nurse.
“Hmmm, must have been hearing things,” she said to herself after peering into the room. She started off down the hall again. Silently Trowa crept to the small hospital window. He squeezed through the propped open glass and into the night.
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The rain had started again, Midii sat at the window of Trowa’s room. The gentle sounds of falling water and the crack of lightning helped to calm her shaking body. Pictures flashed in her mind like a horrible, never ending slide show.
Meeting Trowa in the forest…
Talking to him as he worked on the mobile suits…
Him blasting the transmitters and turning away from her…
His body bouncing off the hood of the truck…
His bloody hands holding her and his collapse…
Last was his lifeless body lying on a hospital bed, tubes and wires everywhere. She sighed and quietly started to sing a song from her childhood.
On my own,
Pretending he’s beside me.
All alone, I walk with him,
‘Til morning.
In the darkness I feel his arms around me,
And when I loose my way I close my eyes,
And he has found me…
How many times had she sang that and imagined her No Name beside her? A lone tear trickled down her face and landed noiselessly onto her clasped hands.
Lightning flashed near by, illuminating the circus grounds. Seconds later another flash, only closer. Midii gasped the second time, for when everything was lit up a tall shadow stood motionless outside the trailer. The blond girl dashed out the door, being careful not to wake the sleeping Cathy.
Once outside Midii spun around, looking for the slender figure. When she saw nothing she leaned against the trailer with her head down. The tears of dashed hope merged with the rain streaming down her face.
“Midii,” came a soft voice through the falling water. Her head snapped up, green eyes met blue and she was instantly washed over with a green sea of warmth. She threw her loving arms around his neck. Trowa slipped his arms around her waist and held her close as she sobbed into his shoulder.
“Why did you leave the hospital?” Midii asked as she pulled back to look into his eyes.
“I saw… death…” his voice was raspy and he winced at each word.
“Ssshh,” the blond girl put her finger to her lips. “We need to get you warmed up.” She placed his arm around her shoulder and helped him into the animal tent. He sat down gingerly in the hay while Midii tried to find a blanket. She ran back and wrapped the cloth around the shivering clown. He slowly closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep. Midii pushed the wet bangs from his forehead and fell asleep next to him.
Early the next morning the young girl woke and sat up. She looked around. The sun was just peeking over the horizon, the first rays made the surrounding hay shine gold. She looked down at her silent love. She leaned over and kissed his exposed forehead lightly. “I love you so much,” she whispered to Trowa’s dormant form.
“I love you too.” She gasped at the answer. His eyes fluttered open and gazed back at the blushing girl at his side. The boy lifted himself up on one elbow and placed his hand on Midii’s cheek. “With all my heart.” She leaned closer to his face; they kissed only the way true lovers can. She lay down next to him, her head on his chest as the sun dawned on a beautiful day.
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Disclaimer: I don’t own Gundam Wing or any of the characters. I do own Liz however. Thank you
Well what do you guys think? This is first fic that I’ve submitted to a fanfic site. Please send me comments, no flames please, those scare me sniff sniff. GishouYuy@gundamwing.net Thanx much!