Mizu-iwa cho | home
Perfect Circle
Duo, Quatre, Trowa, Doris, Sean, and Noah (pretty big pose ne?) left to go to the store, leaving Heero alone in the house with Tatalia and the recovering girl. Tatalia went into her private office to make a phone call.
Heero took this opportunity to slip into the room where the girl rested. He calmly sat in the chair next to the bed, his glare directly aimed at her the whole time.
“Mina. Wake up.” Heero growled. He leaned in and shook the bed slightly, causing the girl to stir- letting out tiny moans of pain.
“Mina.” He shook the bed once more, mumbling under his breath. Before he could do it again, she sat up, rubbing her head.
“What....Heero?! How did you get here? I feel like I...” She quickly stopped in mid-sentence after remembering what she did. “Damnit! Where am I?”
Heero turned his back to her, eying the rest of the room. I could just imagine how the others are going to react when they get back. Great...
“You’re at Tatalia’s. And you’re lucky you’re not dead. Then I would have been the one to tell the others who you are. I’m sure they’d rather hear it from you, rather than have to loose you twice.”
Mina looked back at him in shock. If I do that, they’ll all be in danger again! She moved the covers to the side and carefully placed her feet on the cold linoleum floor. “They didn’t have to know! They still don’t! Please Heero. You’ve kept my secret this long, why blab now?”
Heero walked over to the door and placed his hand on the handle. Mina knew he was going to leave, no way would he be caught dead in here with her- Duo would freak.
“Because you care.” Heero muttered, before leaving the room.
But they don’t need to know that. You see- I did this so we’d all be better off. Mina leaned back against the pillows and stared up at the ceiling. Might as well tell them the truth. Besides- Tatalia’s here. There’s no way she’ll keep her mouth shut around the others. She’d blow my cover faster than a hurricane. With a sigh, Mina closed her eyes and waited for their arrival.
Meanwhile, in the grocery store downtown, Doris is searching for the rest of the group.
“Come on, you guys! I’ve had enough! We should get back now.” Doris huffed. She was searching for the boys for almost an hour. I’m surprised we haven’t gotten ourselves kicked out of here. Pushing the cart full of groceries, Doris searched the store a bit more before finally giving up.
“Whatever you guys! I’m checking out now!” She yelled at the top of her lungs. The store was a little crowded, the tiny girl had to dodge carts and people all the way up to the checkout.
“Is that all miss?” The bagger smiled. He was about her age, blonde (which Doris was completely down with!) And just about her size too. Doris really couldn’t say anything back, every time she opened her mouth nothing but tiny incoherent words ran out. Cut it out, Dork! Grab your bags and get out now! Doris smiled shyly and took her cart, politely nodding and walking past the boy. That was a close one. She giggled to herself and walked out of the store, into the parking lot.
The sunlight spilled over the area, blinding Doris for a few seconds. She squinted for a second and noticed the group of boys waiting at the bus stop.
“What took you so long?” Duo grinned. He was leaning up against the telephone pole, hands behind his head.
“Who takes almost a hour to shop?”
Doris was too angry to reply, she just sat on the bench and clasped her hands in front of her on her lap.
Why am I always stuck with these dorks? I can’t wait to get back to the house...
The bus soon came down the street, and after they got on, Quatre took a seat next to Doris.
“I’m sorry about Duo’s little joke-“ He sincerely stated, hand rested on Doris’s shoulder. She pulled away from him and flashed him a smile (like one of those “I’m going to go insane” ones) and nodded.
“It’s alright. Duo will get his when we get home...” Quatre and Doris laughed out loud, slapping knees and talking about Doris’s plan to get the Great destroyer back. This is going to be great, She mused. I’ll make him some cookies...with laxative in them, yeah!
They got back to the house, Doris and Quatre bounded through the door- carrying groceries, and set them down on the counter. Duo, Trowa, Sean and Noah came in after them. After receiving the worst scolding lecture ever, Duo walked down the hall and stopped at Heero’s room. The door was open, and Heero was working on the computer again. Before taking a step in the room, he hesitated. He’ll be angry at me if I bother him now, Maybe I should go check on the girl. He turned around and padded over to the girl’s room.
“Just what in the name of Allah do you think you’re doing?”
Duo turned around just in time to come face-to-face with a very angry (and nagging) Doris. She had a tray in her hands, with a small bowl filled with what looked like soup. So what if pushing her wouldn’t be a good idea. Duo sighed.
“I was just checking on her.”
“You? Check on her? Don’t make me laugh. You would do more harm than good.”
“What are you talking about? How could I possibly make things worse?”
“Well for starters that mouth of yours! I’m sure she doesn’t want to wake up to a loudmouth like you!” Duo’s jaw dropped as Doris moved past him to the door.
Doris quietly opened the door, making sure she wouldn’t spill the tray as she shut the door behind her. The room was dark, the curtains drawn to keep the sunlight out- giving the girl what seemed like an artificial night. Creepy. What is this girl on anyway? She set the tray down on the table and softly sat on the bed. Doris tried to sit down carefully, but with no prevail. The girl sat up, poised directly in front of Doris, and quickly opened her eyes. Doris blinked in shock- the eyes she met with were so familiar, the deep, dark maroon marbles blinked back at her.
“W-What are you doing in here?” The girl questioned. She had bitten her upper lip, practically in nervousness.
“I guess you’re the first one to know” The girl continued. This was one of those times that Doirs got confused. She blinked, speechless at what the girl was talking about. Only when the girl whispered her name did she jump up- practically slamming herself against the wall.
“Doris...I see you haven’t changed at all.” The words were beginning to scare her. Doris smooshed herself up against the wall even more as the girl continued.
“I guess now is a good time to tell you that I...” The girl trailed off, leaving Doris a opportunity to speak.
“I don’t know who you are or how you know my name, but-“
“Just shut up and let me finish you dork!” The girl retorted. Mina couldn’t keep with her secrecy and more.
“Doris! It’s me, Mina!” She pointed to her face, brushed the hair away, revealing her eyes once more.
“If you don’t believe me-I can start talking about that day in the boxing club...” Mina’s eyes began to fill with tears as she choked out the words. By that time, Doris was also crying, hunched over the table, letting her tears fall onto the glass surface.
“Mina...” Doris looked to the side, averting her eyes from her supposed to be dead friend. She was angry, her hands balled up at her sides. You’re supposed to be dead! It’s not like I wanted you to be- but that’s what happened! I can’t believe you have kept your existence a secret for this long! The words in Doris’s mind soon fell out of her mouth.
“I can’t believe you! Have you any idea how much pain we all have been through? Do you even CARE? Did you even care? And if you do- why in the hell did you leave us?”
The pacifist caught Mina off guard and lunged at her, dragging her onto her bed - pinning her shoulders on the sheets. Mina’s eyes opened wide in pain and shock. What a way to greet a old friend! I understand her feelings though. She looked up at Doris, and placed a hand on her side to clam her.
“Doris- it’s not like I wanted to leave you guys...you wouldn’t know pain if it bit you right on your ass!”
Doris shook her shoulders hard, slamming them into the bed. I hate you! But....I really don’t...I thought I escaped this...I learned not to care anymore- why do you have to come back and bring my feelings back with you? She let out a yell and brought Mina into a tight hug.
“God, you are such a jerk Mina...” Doris’s words were slightly muffled.
“Yeah, but you know you missed me...” Mina smiled and hugged her back.
“What was that?” Duo muttered to himself. There was a noise coming from the girl’s room, and he just remembered that Doris just went in there to feed her. Maybe I should go check things out... He stood up from the video game he was playing and bolted to the girl’s room. Before he could open the door, the handle turned, and Doris came out.
“Your turn...” She said. She wiped her hand across her tear-streaked face and walked past Shinigami.
What was up with her? Did the girl die? He rushed in the door, his long braid following behind him when he entered the room. No, the girl wasn't dead. She was sitting up, her back facing him, long blonde hair surrounding her small frame. Duo frowned, his mind spinning as to why Doris had rushed out crying.
"What's your problem, girl?" he pressed. The girl backed away from him just in time to cover her tears, as well as her face. Why do I have to do this? I thought Doris would be happy to see me and she kicked my ass, what will Duo do? She cleared her throat and muttered.
"Uh.....I...." She couldn't really say anything, she was too stunned at how Duo changed over the year. His facial features changed slightly- his hair was longer. She wanted to stand up and hold him, run her finger through his hair and tell about all the fun she had back home.
"Duo...I guess I'd better tell you next..." Her voice faltered as her wounds got the best of her. She fell back onto the bed, allowing the hair that was shielding her to fall back- revealing her face.
Duo's eyes widened as he took her face in, every tiny feature.
"My God," was all he could muster, struggling to stay on his feet. He could not believe his own eyes, but there she was. Her hair was longer, a different color, and she was more stunning than he had remembered, but it was Mina.
"It...it can't be....Mina?" His thoughts drifted back to what Heero said to him months ago, the night that Duo learned the truth of Mina's whereabouts. His vision blurred as the tears started to collect, and he blinked furiously to hold them back.
The tear-stained girl stared, nervous, as she tried to comprehend the look on Duo's face. He was shocked, without a doubt, but there was something else there. Something she couldn't translate. All she hoped was that it wasn't a masked expression of anger. "Duo?" she whispered, her voice quivering through the stillness of the room.
"I'm sorry..." She regained her balance on the bed and looked up at the expression. I hope he takes this well... Mina stood up and walked over to Duo, her legs were literally knocking together as she took a few steps over to him.
"It's me- go ahead- you can touch me if you want...I'm real. I know it sounds stupid, but I want to check and see if I'm not dreaming..." She hesitated to reach up to his face. What if he rejects you? Can you take it? What do you expect for being gone and lying to those you love for a year? Well-if its' rejection- that's what you deserve... She struggled with her fear of being shut down and reached up to touch his face.
"Duo- I'm so sorry. I should have told you...I..." She choked on the words, tears began streaming down her face.
Duo's mind whirled with Mina's hands on his face, the tears in her eyes. He'd never seen her cry before.
"Duo?" Mina whispered again, urgent for an answer.
It was then that he kissed her, taking them both by surprise. Mina sank into the sensation, Duo devoured it, as they allowed the kiss to drag slow and deep.
Mina looked away, blushing, as Duo ran his fingers through her hair.
"Why the hell did you go off like that and not tell anyone?" Duo sounded a little angry despite how gently he was touching her. "Everyone thought you were dead."
Mina looked up at Duo, hoping to be greeted with reassuring eyes.
"I'm sorry- I figured Heero would tell you. I obviously wasn’t thinking when I told him to tell you something....I'm sorry- I should have told you to your face." She brought him in closer nuzzling his neck. Mina struggled to find the words, and when they wouldn't come to her- she turned to her multi-lingual skills.
"Ai....." She breathed, her warm breath heating Duo's skin underneath his shirt.
"Ai Shiteru..." After saying it, she broke out into tears, hugging him tighter as she let out all of the words she held in for what felt like centuries.
"Duo! I missed you so much. I was so alone- I-I met a nice kid named Beau, he took care of me. I kept my contact with Heero only because I thought it would hurt you if I was away for so long. I told him not to tell you where I was...I needed some time to think- I'm so glad I came back." She let out tiny whimpers as Duo held on to her.
"Mina," Duo breathed, grateful to be able to touch her, smell her hair again. He closed his eyes as he drowned himself in the feeling. "I'm glad you're here too."
Then he pulled her away at arms length, staring into her eyes. Damn, how I love her gaze he thought briefly.
"Don't do it again," he then advised aloud.
"I've been waiting for you all this time when I could have been at some tropical beach somewhere, partying and surrounded by gorgeous babes. But nope, that didn't happen and now I'm stuck with the crazy girl again." He winked at her, his playful smirk returning to his face, brightening the room.
Mina rolled her eyes and threw a playful punch on his shoulder. "Please, and you think I wasn't having a blast while I was gone?"
The two of them chuckled to themselves as they embraced again tightly, happy for their moment of laughs, just like old times.
"Well I'm here now-" She leaned in to kiss him again.
"And I don't plan on leaving any time soon. So..." They kissed again, this time, Mina was taking full control- wrapping her arms around his neck and inching him against the wall. What is wrong with me? It's like I've never kissed him before! What is going on here? She let her hand trail down to his braid and gently wrapped it around her hand. How long has it been since I've gotten to touch him- I still have so much time. I wonder if he knows what I said earlier... (referring to Ai shiteru) The kiss lasted long, is was occasionally broken off just to be joined again. Mina tried to contain her self, but the rest of her feelings were beginning to show. Wait. I should stop this... She fought back the urge to continue and pulled back.
"I'm sorry..." She blushed.
"Uh...."
Duo blushed too, in spite of himself. "Damn, you'd think I'd be mad at you for doing what you did."
Mina sank back into Duo's arms. "But you're not so who cares."
They moved in for another kiss when there was an abrupt throat-clearing sound. They turned to see Heero at the doorway looking bored.
"Mina, Doris wants to see you alone in the kitchen," he announced.
Mina and Duo moved away from each other, each of them blushing furiously and wondering how much Heero had seen.
"Perfect timing Heero," Duo muttered sarcastically.
Heero threw him a warning look and stalked off to return to his computer work.
Mina pushed away from Duo just in time for Sean to walk in the room.
"Hey, what's going on you guys? I just got back from-" He stopped in mid sentence and blinked a couple of times. He couldn't believe his eyes.
"Mina?" He shoved Heero to the side and walked further into the room. She looks so different. I wonder if she came back here on purpose. It's not like her to come back... Just then, the situation hit him. Duo and Mina were holding each other. *Holding* He didn't want to think of what else happened behind closed doors between the two- the thought of it infuriated Sean.
"Why are *you* still here? " Sean growled at Duo.
"There's girls down at the bus stop Noah and I were just at- go bother them." He turned his back on the two and came face to face with Heero.
Get out of my way," Sean growled, seething in his jealousy.
Heero crossed his arms and planted himself firmly to the ground.
"Did you hear what I said?" Sean screeched.
Heero narrowed his eyes, staring blankly at Sean, then he side-stepped. The angry boy stormed off, but not without an icy glare from Heero.
"Talk about your total spaz," Duo muttered.
Mina rushed off, ignoring the comment, as she looked for Sean.
"Just where do you think you're going?" Mina growled as she chased after the angry Sean. How did I know he was going to react like this? I just get back and he already hates me. Great... She finally caught up with him- He was cornered.
"Mina- just bug off." He tried to come up with something remotely disturbing when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Sean- I'm sorry. But I had to do what I had to do..." Her hand was soon slapped away, Sean turned the other way, fighting back punching her square in the face.
"Do you have any idea how much you hurt us?" He seethed.
" You left us without hope- we all thought we lost a great friend. I worried about you- WE worried about you after that night. I blamed myself for your demise...I spent months in hiding- all I could think of was you. How important you were to me as well as the others! Just get out of here!" He slammed his fist into the wall beside him- the drywall crumbled underneath his fist, falling to the floor.
“I had to get away for a while, Sean," Mina explained as Sean sulked, facing away from her.
"I needed to without everyone knowing. I got my chance alone and now I'm back."
Sean turned to glare at her, fist clenched and shaking.
"In some ways I'd wish you'd never return. Then you wouldn't be hurting us like this."
"Sean, I--" Mina reached out to touch him, but he only jerked away. Mina's eyes brimmed with tears.
"I thought everyone would be happy to see me back," she said, her voice quivering. "I never expected this."
"Yeah, well at least one person sure as hell was happy," Sean replied nastily, thinking about how Duo and Mina in that room.
"I've had it!" Without thinking, Mina extend her hand out, making contact with Sean's face. She stepped and looked back at what she had just done.
A stinging sensation ran through Sean's face, he reached up to touch his tingling cheek.
"Mina. If I were you, I'd leave the room now. I don't want to hurt you , so leave." Sean turned to face her, his blue eyes burning into hers.
"I can't assure your safety around me now. Over the year, I've learned many things but there's something I just learned..."
Mina was hesitant of asking what that something was, but she did.
"What is it?" She demanded.
"I should have never trusted you-"
Mina couldn't take it anymore, she reached over to him and tried to hug him and was interrupted by his elbow. It was jammed directly between her ribs, causing the girl to hunch over and cough. She let out a groan of pain and fell.
What have I done? He thought to himself as he led the coughing Mina down to the floor. I just hit someone I care about.... Mina... Just when he laid her down, Duo and Heero came running in the room.
What the..." Duo stopped and looked from Mina to Sean, and back at Mina again.
"Duo, I," Sean started, "I can explain, I,"
"Explain this!" the enraged god of death screamed, lunging at the other boy.
The two wrestled fiercely on the ground, Duo fueled by his rage. Heero helped Mina to her feet.
"Stop it!" she screamed. "Just stop it!"
Sean and Duo froze as Mina jerked away from Heero, collapsing in a wailing heap on the ground.
"I'm so sorry," she sobbed. "I shouldn't have come here. I shouldn't even have left. I've hurt you all too much." She broke down into sobs and tears, the only thing now heard in the area.
"Mina," Duo started, moving towards her.
Sean looked shamelessly away, hating himself for letting his anger get too far on her.
Doris emerged behind Heero, keeling down beside her best friend.
"It's ok," she soothed, helping Mina to her feet. "We'll sort this all out later."
Mina sobbed into Doris' shoulder as the boys watched in solemn silence. The two girls moved slowly back to Mina's room, leaving everyone else alone in the reality of their actions and the stunned presence of their thoughts.