| Mizu-iwa cho | home |
| On a bus |
Doris-
Sorry this has to be so short, I wish I had more time to tell you what’s going on, but we’re going back to Mizu-iwa.
-Quatre
Should I really be on this bus back to Mizu-iwa? Am I ready? Can I face that place again? After what happened to all the kids there? After what happened to Mina? Tears start to swell in my eyes, and I fight to hold them back. The gentlemen next to me notices my tears. “Hey kido, are you alright?” His voice is so warm and familiar for some reason. That sounds like Noah, and he’s the only one who would call me kido. I look up to his worried face, expecting to see Noah, but getting an eyeful of someone that is obviously not Noah. Wild blue hair, and a moustache to match, definitely not Noah.
“Oh, um, I’m sorry sir. I’m okay. Thank you for asking.” He smiled warmly and leaned back in his seat, resting his arms behind his head. Dork, of course it’s not Noah. It wouldn’t be anyone else from Mizu-iwa either. Even if it was, they wouldn’t want to talk to you! You haven’t heard from them for over a year, and you expect one of them to just so happen to be on the same bus back to that place with you?! Sometimes you just don’t think about things. After I was finished verbally bashing myself. I flicked off the annoying glow of my screen and leaned back into a restless sleep. I was dreaming of everybody together again, just as if we never parted, even Mina was there. Everyone was laughing and talking. A darkness loomed over us and quickly snatched Mina from our ranks. We all tried to retrieve her, but only succeeded in getting ourselves taken away by the dark hand. All except for me. I was left alone and cold in an empty place. “Mina! Duo! Quatre! Amy! Sean! Where is everybody?!” My yells echoed off the emptiness and surrounded me, chanting the names of my friends over and over again, taunting me.
I shoot up from my seat in a cold sweat. Gathering my surroundings I slowly remember where I am. My heart is racing and I start crying again. Thankfully it’s dark, and everyone except for myself and the bus driver is asleep. After a long trip spent in-between sleep and waking, the bus stopped at Mizu-iwa. I gathered what few belongings I had bothered to bring with me and stepped off. Still groggy and dazed after last night, I stumbled on the way out and fell into the person in front of me. I collided with his back and sent us both hurdling off the bus. We hit the ground with a hard thud. I quickly got up, apologizing profusely. “I am so sorry sir, I lost my balance and I tripped, and...” He stood up and turned to me. It was the same guy with the wild blue hair.
“Well I’m sorry just won’t cut it with me.” How rude! “I’m kidding. It’s alright kido. Nobody was hurt right?” My mind must be playing tricks on me... I swear this guy is totally familiar!
“Uh, yeah I guess. Well sorry again.” I call as I walk away.
This little town has changed so much. The air is heavy with grief and misery, instead of the usual liveliness that would brighten the day. It’s much emptier now, most of the parents moved after their children passed away, trying to escape painful memories. Everything is still within walking distance though. I make my way through the practically empty streets to the book store where we all used to hang out. It’s closed down now, obviously the owner moved away after there were no children left. Where’s Quatre? It’s not like him to be late. I sit down on the sidewalk and spot the boxing club. A soft chuckle escapes me as I remember the night we shared there. Now that was an all out brawl if I ever did see one.
Mina why can’t you still be here? Why did you have to die?! You were so strong!
“Doris?” I snap my head up from my thoughts.
“Quatre!” I quickly jump off the sidewalk to greet him. I notice a tall figure behind him. I eye it suspiciously.
“It’s been a long time Doris.”
“Yeah, it sure has... uh Quatre, can I talk to you over here for a minute?” I pull him away from the stranger’s earshot. “Who is that guy?”
“Oh, that’s Trowa. You remember him don’t you?”
“What?! Why is HE here? I thought- I mean he was-” I found myself at a loss for words. Thankfully, Quatre picked up on what I was getting at.
“He was never really working for OZ. He was working undercover there to help sabotage the main base.”
“Oh- of course, undercover. Why didn’t I see it before?” Of course I was being sarcastic. I didn’t want to trust anyone after what happened here. I never wanted to be close to anyone after Mina was killed. I didn’t want Quatre to have to suffer that kind of pain either. “Sorry. I must be testy after the bus ride.” He smiled kindly.
“It’s okay. I understand.”
“So, uh, mind telling me why we’re here? I mean this isn’t exactly the greatest place to go on a vacation.”
“I thought it would be good if we visited the graveyard, and pay our respects to the dead, since we never got to properly before.” Closure would be good. I guess I was overdue for a visit here. I nod my head in agreeance
“But- I want to see the school first, if that’s okay with you?”
“Sure.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Quatre, Trowa and I walked to where the school once stood. It was still in shambles, no one really having the heart to clear the rubble, even after a year. As I gaze at the fallen building, I spot the guy who was on the bus. Weird- I just can’t get away from that guy. Why is he here anyway? Curiosity gets the better of me and I walk over to him. I tap him on the shoulder. He looks up from the ground at me.
“Um, sir, pardon me, but did you go to this school?”
“Yeah, I did. What about you?”
“Yes, and I lost someone I cared very much about in the explosion. I hope you don’t mind me asking, but do I know you? Did we have a class together or something?”
“Sean!” Quatre was shocked at the great timing this trip had.
“Sean? Why didn’t you say something silly? It’s me, Doris!”
“Doris? I haven’t seen you for ages! How’ve you been?”
“Okay for the most part. I’ve been busy trying to make up for lost school time. Oi, what’s with this kido bit?”
“Just something I picked up from Noah. I’m glad I picked that up instead of bimbo.”
“Where is Noah? I almost thought you were him on the bus yesterday.”
“He’s supposed to meet up with me here.” I heard footsteps coming closer to us. From around the corner appeared Duo and Heero.
“Hey, we’ve been waiting for you guys all day! What took you so long?” Duo shouted as he shoved a hot dog in his mouth.
“How did you even know we’d be here?” If Quatre didn’t invite them, and I didn’t invite then, Sean and Noah wouldn’t invite them, good question.
“Oi, Quatre, you should know better. Of course we bugged your e-mail to make sure you were okay.” Duo eyed Sean and I. “Hmmm, you two look familiar. Oh I remember you know! So, Doris, Sean, how ya been?”
“Fine Duo, and you?”
“Oh yeah, I’ve been okay.”
“I thought we were supposed to be going to the cemetery.” Heero remained in his constant state of calm.
“Yeah, but I think it would be best if we waited for Noah.”
“Did I hear someone say Noah?” Noah had suddenly joined our group. “Hey, Sean. Who’s the bimbo?” He gestured at me.
“Noah!! It’s me you idiot! If you ever call me a bimbo again, I swear I’ll- I’ll oooooh I don’t know what I’ll do but it won’t be pretty!!”
“Doris! I’m sorry kido! I didn’t recognize you!” I sighed. Both in exasperation to Noah, and to help prepare myself for the graveyard.
“I think it’s time to go.”
* ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
We walked in silence to the churchyard where all of the children were buried. I have to be strong. For those with me now, and Mina. I lead the way through the gates. We pass each tombstone stopping to read the names on all of them. “Oh my god!” I hear Quatre shout from behind me. I quickly run to him to see what the trouble is. A girl is lying on the ground covered in blood.
“Holy shit!” I bent down to check her pulse. It’s faint, but it’s there. “Quatre, don’t just stand there for God’s sake help me aye!” In my rush of fear for this girl’s life I reverted back to Canadian tongue. “Noah, you go get help aye.” I knelt down at her side and ripped off a piece of my huge t-shirt. Gingerly I wipe as much blood as I could away. Heero looms over me as I tend to the girl.
“Noah stop. She’ll be fine.” I open my mouth to counter Heero’s comment, but was interrupted.
“Hi! I couldn’t help but notice your predicament there. I have a place you could take her, if you like.” A short girl with blonde hair popped out of the shadows. Holy shit! What kind of weirdos hang out in graveyards?! What has happened to this place? I knew it was a bad idea to come back! Damn it!!
“Tatalia? You haven’t changed a bit!” Duo beamed at the blonde. “We sure do appreciate your help.”
“Pick her up, and let’s go.”
“WHAT?! You’re not supposed to move injured people Heero! Even I know that!” He bent down and looked over her, then at me.
“She’s fine. Just do it.” I didn’t want to trust Heero, but I figured he knew more about these things than I did. So I relinquished my place to Noah, who picked her up.
“Now what?”
“Follow Tatalia.” God! If there’s anything that I like about Heero, it’s absolutely nothing. We followed her to a hangar just outside of town. I walk alongside Noah watching the girl. I hope she’ll be alright. It’s like on the bus with Sean, I feel like I know her. I brushed some of her brown hair out of her face, the sun made her blonde highlights glow. Tatalia opened the door and let us in.
“Put her over here, and we’ll get her fixed up good as new.” I made sure to stay as close to the girl as I could. Why am I getting so attached? I don’t even know her. Or do I? The nagging feeling that I knew her kept gnawing me.
After all her wounds were dressed, we laid her down to rest. I wanted to confront Tatalia about her being in the graveyard, but thought better than to antagonize our hostess. Quatre put a hand on my shoulder. Just like the old days aye? Always there to comfort. I stand up and leave without glancing in his direction. I don’t want his or anyone else’s pity. They have their own worries to deal with, they don’t need to be bothered with my foolish problems. Shit. Quatre probably thinks I’m a grade A jack ass now... oh well. He’ll understand. But that girl... I swear I know her... but from where? And when? We found her in a graveyard. How many people do you know hang out in a graveyard? What exactly was she doing in the graveyard anyway? Maybe she went to school here. My thoughts were interrupted by one noisy long-haired nitwit.
“Oi, Doris. You’re looking paler than usual, you’re almost invisible!”
“Thanks Duo. I’m just tired.” He shrugged and left. It took me while to find Tatalia. “Excuse me Miss Tatalia, but I was wondering if there was anyplace I could take a nap?”
“Oh please, just Tatalia, miss sounds so formal. Follow me.” After Tatalia left me I drifted asleep. Again it was restless. I was dreaming about the last day I saw Mina alive. I couldn’t stop her from leaving us. I couldn’t protect her. I shot up breathing heavily. I haven’t had these dreams in so long. I blocked everyone from my life, I learned to forget. So why is it coming back now?! I put my head in my hands and start to cry. Quatre walked into the small room just then. I drew a quick breath and pretended I was coughing.
“Doris. Why are you trying to hide from me?”
“What are you talking about? I’m right here. I wanted to take a nap.” I quickly rubbed my face to dry my tears.
“I meant, why are you trying to hide your feelings from me? You know you are no good at hiding things like that. You’ve always worn your heart on your sleeve.” I have no heart anymore. I don’t want to feel anymore. Anything I’ve ever done has been painful.
“Really, I’m fine. I’m just tired from the trip here.” He isn’t buying it. Think of a better excuse than that... damn he always knew when there was something wrong. He frowned and sat by me.
“Then why were you crying?”
“I wasn’t crying.” He pulled me close to him, and hugged me.
“Then what were you doing?” I broke the embrace and stood up.
“Is the girl awake yet?” Maybe he’ll finally give it up... He sighed and nodded his head no.
“She’s going to be fine. Trust me.” Trust, another emotion I learned to forget. I turn my back to him.
“We’re going to need something to eat and I don’t think Tatalia would like it too much if we ate all of hers.” If you don’t want to give the answer, change the question. You’re a genius!
“Alright. I’ll get the others.”
OOC-Mwahahahaha. I am a genius. Actually that genius part is from the BEST BOOK EVER! But instead of “you’re a genius” it says “You’ll be a hero yet Sheilder’s Mark!” But I figured that the genius thing was a lot better suited for this story. Just goes to show what reading can do for you!! *Points finger at you with gusto*