Duo Maxwell rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling. Today was his day off, and he hoped Oz wouldn't ruin it.
"Doushitanda, Duo-san?"
Duo blinked his violet eyes rapidly, and turned his head, crossing his arms behind his head.
"Nothing. Is staring at the ceiling a bad thing?" He crossed his eyes at Quatre.
Quatre smiled and leaned back in his chair. "Iie, of course not."
Duo sighed contentedly, looking around the airy living room at Trowa and Wufei who were sitting around idly. "Anyway, I think Deathscythe deserved a rest." He hesitated. *I've been hanging around Wufei too long...*
Quatre laughed, interrupting his thoughts. "I could use the rest, too."
There's no time for rest. I must tend to Nataku," Wufei replied, taking out a white cloth and shining his sword.
Duo grinned lopsidedly. "Oi. Relax, minna-san! You're too serious!"
Heero entered the room, stopped in the doorway, and stared at Duo who grinned in greeting. "Heero-san! Ohayo! Are you going to see Relena-san today?"
Heero glared at him and left.
Duo made a face, but the grin fell back into place. "I can't help not being happy today... I think I'll go for a swim. Care to join me, Quatre-san?" Duo rose and stretched. Midway through his stretch, he opened his eyes and looked at Trowa. "You, too, Trowa-san?"
Trowa looked at him evenly, then went over to the closet and began rummaging through the junk that had acummulated there. "If you're asking me to baby-sit you two, then no."
Duo made another face, flipping his braid over his shoulder, and crossing his arms over his chest. "Baka-shinken," he whined. "Lighten up. Today we can relax-" A red light began to blink by the monitor set into the wall.
"You were saying?" Trowa asked. He walked over to the monitor and pushed a button, turning the system on.
"Trowa-san. We just got a distress signal from Sector 16A. They're being attacked by Oz."
Trowa stiffened. "Sector 16A?!" He divided the screen into two and a layout of the sectors overlapping the lands appeared. He clenched his fists. "I'm going right away." He turned away from the screen as the officer disconnected, his face set and pale. He marched out of the room without another word.
"Chotto! Doko ni ikamasu ka? Wait for us to come along!!" Duo grabbed Quatre by the hand and dragged him to their Gundams. "Come on! The way things are going, _we're_ going to have to baby-sit _him_!"
The burnt scene before them lay smoking. The small huts were destroyed, some still on fire. There was no life around. No more people, no trees, no animals, no life. For miles around, there was only the smell of burning and death. Trowa guided Heavyarms past the ruins that had once been a neighbouring village, smoke seeming to come out of the ground, and headed towards the mountains... his home.
....
"Chotto! What's your name?" Brown locks flying, swinging around the face and falling back into place to frame it.
Deep blue eyes stared at him. "Nani yo?" the girl asked confused.
"What's your name? I never knew your name." He was a little uncomfortable, he kicked at the dirt, dust and pine needles flying.
"Oh." The girl blushed. "Miyuki... it's Miyuki."
"I won't see you for a while. I'll miss you."
Miyuki seemed flustered. "Well, I... that is..."
He leaned over and kissed her lightly. "Jaa!" He waved and ran off, leaving the little girl alone on the path.
....
"Trowa? Trowa-san? Daijoubu desu ka?"
Trowa shook his head to keep his memories out of the way. "Daijoubu. Nan de?"
"Because... we've just stopped. Where are you taking us?" Duo seemed genuinely interested that behind the poker face was an actual _soul_.
Trowa grew silent. When Duo was about to ask again, he replied, "Those mountains over there."
"What's special about those mountains?"
Trowa scowled. *Nosy...* "Nothing." And he lead them to the mountains. Coming out of his mobile suit, he stopped at the edge of the ramp and stared. The village, _his_ village, was in ruins. There was almost nothing left. Not even any houses. There was no way of discerning what had once been a house and a road, except for the few ashes and embers that remained. As Duo and Quatre clambered out of their mobile suits, Trowa jumped to the ground and strode fearfully towards the side of the cliff where the mountain started abruptly. There was nothing left. Not even debris.
Duo whistled. "Maaan, Oz was clean this time." Quatre shook his head and stared sadly at the field that had once been a village.
"Kami yo!"
Duo and Quatre whirled around, hearing the panic that had risen in Trowa's voice. He was on the ground bent over something, as if to protect it, his face tight. "Tro-"
Duo stopped Quatre and shook his head. "This was his home. This was his home and they burned it to the ground, leaving nothing but memories behind."
Running foot steps. "Dare-?"
"Minna... minna-san!"
Trowa's head jerked up. That voice... A sob echoed against the cliff wall.
The girl turned around frantically, searching for some sign of life. Clutching at her heart, she sobbed again. "Minna..." She fell to her knees, crying into her hands.
"Oi. Onna... don't cry." Duo put a hand on her shoulder, kneeling beside her. The girl jumped back in surprise and fright.
Wiping her tears hurriedly, she rose and backed away. "Dare desu ka?" she asked timidly, avoiding eye contact by looking down at his feet.
Duo grinned. *She thinks I'm with Oz!* "Onna, I'm not going to hurt you." He held out a hand.
The girl backed away some more. "That's what they all said. Now, look what's happened..." Another sob escaped. Trowa brushed past Duo, past the girl.
"If that's what you want... Duo-san, Quatre-san. Let's go." Duo looked back at the girl dubiously, but followed.
"M-matte!" Trowa stopped, turning around.
"We're not here to hurt you," he replied softly. The girl looked at him, carefully. She gasped. *He looks like...* "I-I believe you," she said, suddenly feeling dizzy. Turning away, she made her way towards what had once been her house.
Duo grinned. "I can't say that it's always good to walk away, but it worked!" He watched the girl. "Who is she, anyway?" The three watched the girl silently as she rummaged through the dirt and grass for anything. Trowa looked away. Duo noticed the picture he held in his hand. "Hey, what's that?" He peered over Trowa's shoulder, but Trowa walked away.
"None of your business."
"Maybe this was a good thing, to come here. It's nice and peaceful here." Duo leaned back to stare at the stars. Quatre followed his gaze, smiling.
"Yes, it is. And with the mountains to shelter us from the wind, it's also warmer." The girl appeared out of the darkness with more wood for the fire.
"How long have you lived here?" Quatre asked, as the girl added the dry wood to their small campfire.
"All my life. I was gone to get water for our family, in one of the hidden villages in the mountains. I heard the fighting, the screams, and I ran down as fast as I could. But I was too late." The girl stared into the fire sorrowfully. She sat on her haunches, hugging her knees to her, rocking back and forth.
"You must miss them terribly."
"I'll get by," the girl answered, with some difficulty. Her chest ached to let out her cries, but she wouldn't. She would be strong, so that _he_ would come for her.
"You're a very pretty girl. What's your name?" Duo asked curiously.
The girl blushed at the comment, and ducked her head. "It's Miki."
"Miki," Duo repeated. He smiled, then suddenly remembered Trowa. "Where did he go? He's been gone all day."
"Well, he can't be lost. He seems to know his way around this area quite well," Quatre replied, to ease some of the worry.
As if on cue, Trowa came back. Without a word, he placed himself by the fire and went to sleep. Duo shook his head sadly. He noticed the girl was staring at Trowa's back intently. *Does she know him?* The fire crackled, and he poked at it with a stick, wondering.
"I'll go get the water," Miki replied brightly. The morning sun shone down from the sky, the air cool and fresh.
"So far? Again?" Duo was genuinely concerned. Miki laughed.
"Don't worry! If I'm fast, it'll take only an hour."
Trowa sat up, brushing off bits of dead grass. "Duo-san's right. It's not safe. You lived here. Don't you know about the river in the mountain?" His eyes looked at her quizically.
Miki stiffened. "I have memories there that I'm trying to forget. I won't go in there."
"Fine, if you don't go then I will." Trowa grabbed her bucket before she could react.
"Chotto! What do you think you're doing?"
"Getting the water."
"But I said that _I_ was going to! Come back here! And anyway, how do you know about the river in the mountain? I've never seen you before! Chotto!! Matte! That's my bucket you're using!..."
Quatre laughed, watching her follow Trowa into a crevice in the cliff wall.
Duo crossed his eyes. "Oi. And what did she say about not going in there? Trowa has a way with her."
"Chotto!!! I told you to wait! Do you never listen? Aiyah!" She watched Trowa jump down to the river with ease and collect water into the bucket with one scoop. Jumping down to his side with the same agility, Miki stared at him suspiciously. "You seem familiar with these parts, yet I've never seen you before. Where are you from?"
Trowa straightened, looking at her coolly. Turning away, he answered, "A long time ago, here."
"But I've never seen you before... matte! Why are you always in some kind of rush?" Miki caught up with him quickly. Coming out of the crevice, she blinked to let her eyes adjust to the bright sun. "Oi. Matte! Will you slow down?" They arrived at the campfire which had died out long ago. Miki fell to the ground, sighing. "You're friend is so hard to talk to!"
Duo raised an eyebrow. "Trowa-san? He's always been like that since we've known him." He grinned. "They're all so serious! Yesterday was our day off. We should've been back today, but Trowa insists that we stay longer."
"Why would he say that?" Miki asked curiously.
"I don't know. I didn't bother asking." They turned to look at Trowa, but all that was there was the bucket full of water.
"Where'd he go?"
"To think. He likes to think by himself. He's probably somewhere nice and quiet," Quatre replied. He sighed. "It's not that hard either. It's very nice here. I wish everywhere was like this place."
"Same as wishing that there was no Oz. It's impossible," Duo replied.
The ground shook. Miki gripped the ground. "Dou shita no?!"
Duo looked down at her. Seeing the eyes full of fear, of panic, his heart was suddenly filled with hatred. "Oz."
Running towards his hidden Gundam, he shouted over his shoulder, "Miki-san! Take cover!" Miki could only nod as she scrambled towards the crevice in the side of the mountain that led to the river in the mountain. She ran inside, tripping as the ground shook again. Someone caught her. She looked up, her eyes filled with tears. It was Trowa.
He looked down at her. "It's okay. Everything will be fine." Miki cringed as another explosion sounded. She clutched his shirt. He put his arms around her. "It's alright. No one will get hurt."
Miki cried into his chest. "I hate this fighting," she sobbed. "Why can't there be peace?"
Trowa held her tight. "I don't know," he whispered, a pained expression on his face. "I don't know."
"Please don't go out there. I don't want you to go," Miki said fearfully, as Trowa seemed to move towards the opening.
Trowa paused. "No. I won't go. Come with me." He led her back down the path to the river. They sat down on the big rock by its shore. They sat in silence for a while, then another explosion sounded. The whole cave seemed to shake with its impact. Miki moved closer to Trowa. Finally, he spoke. "I used to come in here all the time with her. It was our secret spot, our hideaway. But then I had to leave. Now, she's dead."
She looked up at him. "Who?"
He got up, walked to the entrance and looked out. "I don't know anymore. Someone too far away in my past for me to reach. I try to take her hand, and she moves farther away."
Miki brought her knees up to her chest. "I knew someone, too. We used to come in here, too, like you and your girl. We'd play all these fun games, go exploring, find new treasures." She laughed. "They were little coloured rocks, nothing more. But I had such great fun with him. Then, one day he left. I remember that day so well." Trowa looked at her, eyes wide. She brushed a tear out of her eye. "I-I had a twin sister, Miyuki. It was always Miyuki this, and Miyuki that. I was always in the background. And then, _he_ came along. He hadn't met her yet, so I hoped that it would stay that way because I didn't want to lose him. O-on that last day, he met her. I was waiting for him, behind the trees by a little pond that we sometimes tried to catch frogs in. I was waiting for him. I heard him come, so I peered around the tree, and he was talking to her. She stole him away from me. He'd only met her once, but he kissed her. Asked for her name and kissed her. I never talked to her again. She stole him away from me. I could never forget that. Never forgive her. And now she's dead, and he's gone. Now, I have nothing left." Her body shook, but not because of the fight going on.
Trowa stood there shocked beyond belief. *Could it be?...*
She looked up at him, urgently. "You won't leave me, will you? Please don't leave." She went up to him, took both his hands in hers. "Don't go." She buried her head into his chest, and he held her as explosion after explosion shook the mountains to their core.
"I won't go. I won't leave you again," he whispered.
"Again?" Miki looked up at him, but ducked her head when another explosion sounded.
"Trowa-san? Miki-san? Where are you? Oi. You guys can come out now! It's over." Duo poked his head into the crevice, not wanting to go any farther for fear that he might get lost. They stood at the end of the tunnel. Duo grinned. "This isn't fair! While we're off fighting, he goes and gets the girl!" Duo shook his head, his braid flying out behind him. "Come on, Quatre. Let's leave them alone." He grinned mischeviously. Trowa ignored him, and looked down at Miki. She rested her head on his chest, smiling peacefully, her eyes closed. He smiled back. He could stay with her a while longer, he didn't mind.
Duo leaned against the wall, arms behind his head. "Heh. I wonder when it's my turn to get the girl." He looked up at the blue sky, lost in thought.
"Your turn will come, Duo. Don't worry." Quatre smiled, sitting beside him. "Nothing can get better than this," he sighed, stretching lazily.
"Where were you guys? We heard about Oz and come hurrying over not knowing where the hell you've gone! And- ... where's Trowa?"
Duo opened one eye to look at Wufei. "I didn't know you cared," he grinned. Jerking his head towards the crevice, he replied, "They're in there."
Wufei raised an eyebrow. "_They_?"
"Miki and Trowa," Duo supplied.
"Oh."
Heero climbed over one of the boulders that had landed itself neatly into the center of the destroyed village and sat on the top.
Quatre smiled. "Life just got better."
Trowa stroked her hair, listening to the sounds of the Gundam pilots outside.
"Are those your friends?" Miki asked.
Trowa looked down at her. "Yes."
Miki smiled. "Then you should be out there with them."
"No. I promised you that I'd never leave you again."
"Did you leave me before? I've never met you before."
"Yes, you have." He hesitated, looking off. "I was that boy. The one you lost."
Miki gasped, stepping out of his grasp. "You-you're him?!" She backed against the opposite wall, her hands covering her mouth, eyes wide.
He stepped towards her. "Please-"
"How could you then? I don't believe... I can't say...-"
"Let me talk!" Trowa replied.
"I don't want to hear it," Miki answered, turning to leave.
He grabbed her shoulders, forced her to face him. "There's something you didn't know though! I didn't know you had a sister, let alone a _twin_ sister! I thought she was you! If I had known there were two of you, I would never have chosen her over you. You're the one that I meant to kiss that day. You've got to believe me."
"I-I don't know what you're talking about..."
"Yes, you do! You've got to trust me! I would never have kissed her if I'd known she wasn't you!"
Miki hesitated. "Honto ni?"
"Yes!" Trowa answered firmly.
"I-" He leaned down and kissed her softly. Her eyes closed, tears forming. He drew away, looking down at her.
*He's come back to me...*
"I'll never leave you again, I promise. And if I do, I'll keep in touch. I promise that, too."
Miki laughed. "You're really that little kid with the short brown hair who used to be so carefree? You've changed so much... hair and all." He smiled, blushing. She brushed his long bangs to the side and kissed him again.
"Oi. Come on, Trowa-san! We're waiting!" Duo called, grinning.
"You go on ahead. I don't think I'd fare well where you live. I'm so used to be outdoors, I don't think I'd live long enough to enjoy being in the city." Miki began to push Trowa to the opening, as he protested.
"But Miki-san! I thought-"
"Hush! I'd rather live here by myself and know that you're still alive and that you care, than live in the city." She smiled.
Trowa turned to her, smiling softly. "I won't forget you."
"I know you won't. If you did, I think I just might have to go to the city and hunt you down." She laughed, her eyes sparkling.
Trowa began to leave, but suddenly remembered the picture. "Oh, wait!" He pulled it out and tore it in half. "Here." He stuffed it into her hand, and ran out to his waiting Gundam. Miki stared down at the picture, taking it in. Laughing, she ran out after him. Waving at the Gundams, she ran alongside until she could run no more. Stopping in the middle of the large expanse of land, she smiled. She glanced at the picture again, and looked up at the fast disappearing Gundams. An eight-year-old boy could be seen holding hands with someone. The picture was torn straight down the middle where Trowa had ripped it. Miki had recognized the picture immediately. That someone was her. And he had that half.
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