Epilogue: Partings

Warnings: EW has not and will not happen for this story, some language, MAJOR angst. Shonen-ai hints.

Background song: Track 14 of "Evita" CD Song: You Must Love Me. Ask me and I'll send you an MP3 of the song! :)

They arrived on earth carrying a precious burden with them as they traveled by bus to the huge grounds dedicated to the passing souls of the war only months ago passed…

When the group from L2 came around the hill top they could look down and see a group of people standing solemnly with clothes flitting in the wind. The girls looked up sadly, Catherine, Noin, Hilde, Relena, and even Dorothy. Howard was also in the group as were some of the closer Maguanac friends of Quatre. Hilde burst out crying and ran up to cry whoever she came in contact with - which happened to be Heero, actually.

He didn't resist, finally understanding the feeling of loss. He just wrapped his arms loosely about her waist and dropped his head forward, as a few of his own wayward tears trekked his face.

"A virus…" Relena whispered softly. She bit her lip and turned her gaze away. /What a fool I've been…/ she thought. /To ever have wished to have him to myself. They really were always a team. Family in more ways than one./ She turned back and watched as Hilde pulled away from Heero and sniffled sadly. "I am sorry," the blonde said quietly, finally.

Heero just glanced at her briefly and Relena kept steady. She saw the emotion there and understood. Tears came up in her eyes as her lips fought to keep as an emotionless line. He'd learned something while away from her. He had found something that she could never teach him.

"Heero," Trowa handed the clay-formed urn holding previous contents to the Japanese boy. Silently Heero took it and moved forward, past the group until he stood on the edge of the slope they were on. He looked at the lip, as if afraid to open in. Afraid to let go yet.

Behind him, Quatre and Trowa held hands tightly, standing beside Catherine as she lent her own support. The others stood fairly much alone and watched. Heero's solitary figure was outlined within the line of the fading sun. He looked up at the earth sky and marveled at how the wind brushed his cheeks lightly.

Moisture caught in the wind brushed his lips and he was reminded of a single kiss that was out of desperate call for help. A soft smile appeared on his face and he closed his eyes, taking off the lid gently. Ever so slowly, his eyes opened and he let the contents fly free.

The ashes danced wildly in the wind, holding together in a wavering finger that lingered before the group. Unhappy to be defied, the wind tore wickedly at the particles holding tightly together. A stream of ash blew in the wind as the shape of a braid being undone. Just as the wind enforced its strength, a hand of ash moved to wave.

At last the wind won and the particles burst apart, flying everywhere and nowhere at once. Just as the soul had been in life, the ashes of his body streamed out to explore all that there was to offer. Sadly, Heero closed his eyes and bowed his head. No tears came this time.

A hand rested on his shoulder and he was surprised when he turned to see Relena smiling weakly at him with tears in her eyes. "Daijoubu…" she whispered so softly it was almost as if she was lipping it. Heero gave in and wrapped his arms about the girl he once thought he would always find annoying. She embraced him tightly and kissed his forehead. "Daijoubu…" she whispered again.

The group said their farewells silently, still trying to follow lingering ashes within the air. Sparkling brilliantly, a few tiny drops of rain in the shapes of tears fell. The sky was clear of all but a few, scattered, white clouds. Heero looked up and half-smiled. /There should not be tears in heaven, Duo. You know you did your absolute best. And we shall never forget… you need not cry./

The wind picked up and danced dry, fall leaves about the expanses of graves. Within his pocket, Heero fingered the necklace that he had kept after Quatre's convincing. "Let us go," Dorothy murmured.


	Lionna's Corner of Anime Fanfiction \| home Epilogue: Partings ~~~~~ Series: Zetsumei no Yochimu Part: Epilogue Part Title: Partings [unedited] By: Shinigami Goddess (Lionna) E-mail: shinigami_goddess@netzero.com Rating: PG-13ish Pairings: 3x4/4x3 (implied and hinted), 2+1 mildly Warnings: EW has not and will not happen for this story, some language, MAJOR angst. Shonen-ai hints. Background song: Track 14 of "Evita" CD Song: You Must Love Me. Ask me and I'll send you an MP3 of the song! :) Started: September 19, 2000 Completed: September 19, 2000 ~~~~~ They arrived on earth carrying a precious burden with them as they traveled by bus to the huge grounds dedicated to the passing souls of the war only months ago passed… When the group from L2 came around the hill top they could look down and see a group of people standing solemnly with clothes flitting in the wind. The girls looked up sadly, Catherine, Noin, Hilde, Relena, and even Dorothy. Howard was also in the group as were some of the closer Maguanac friends of Quatre. Hilde burst out crying and ran up to cry whoever she came in contact with - which happened to be Heero, actually. He didn't resist, finally understanding the feeling of loss. He just wrapped his arms loosely about her waist and dropped his head forward, as a few of his own wayward tears trekked his face. "A virus…" Relena whispered softly. She bit her lip and turned her gaze away. /What a fool I've been…/ she thought. /To ever have wished to have him to myself. They really were always a team. Family in more ways than one./ She turned back and watched as Hilde pulled away from Heero and sniffled sadly. "I am sorry," the blonde said quietly, finally. Heero just glanced at her briefly and Relena kept steady. She saw the emotion there and understood. Tears came up in her eyes as her lips fought to keep as an emotionless line. He'd learned something while away from her. He had found something that she could never teach him. "Heero," Trowa handed the clay-formed urn holding previous contents to the Japanese boy. Silently Heero took it and moved forward, past the group until he stood on the edge of the slope they were on. He looked at the lip, as if afraid to open in. Afraid to let go yet. Behind him, Quatre and Trowa held hands tightly, standing beside Catherine as she lent her own support. The others stood fairly much alone and watched. Heero's solitary figure was outlined within the line of the fading sun. He looked up at the earth sky and marveled at how the wind brushed his cheeks lightly. Moisture caught in the wind brushed his lips and he was reminded of a single kiss that was out of desperate call for help. A soft smile appeared on his face and he closed his eyes, taking off the lid gently. Ever so slowly, his eyes opened and he let the contents fly free. The ashes danced wildly in the wind, holding together in a wavering finger that lingered before the group. Unhappy to be defied, the wind tore wickedly at the particles holding tightly together. A stream of ash blew in the wind as the shape of a braid being undone. Just as the wind enforced its strength, a hand of ash moved to wave. At last the wind won and the particles burst apart, flying everywhere and nowhere at once. Just as the soul had been in life, the ashes of his body streamed out to explore all that there was to offer. Sadly, Heero closed his eyes and bowed his head. No tears came this time. But it was the final parting. A hand rested on his shoulder and he was surprised when he turned to see Relena smiling weakly at him with tears in her eyes. "Daijoubu…" she whispered so softly it was almost as if she was lipping it. Heero gave in and wrapped his arms about the girl he once thought he would always find annoying. She embraced him tightly and kissed his forehead. "Daijoubu…" she whispered again. The group said their farewells silently, still trying to follow lingering ashes within the air. Sparkling brilliantly, a few tiny drops of rain in the shapes of tears fell. The sky was clear of all but a few, scattered, white clouds. Heero looked up and half-smiled. /There should not be tears in heaven, Duo. You know you did your absolute best. And we shall never forget… you need not cry./ The wind picked up and danced dry, fall leaves about the expanses of graves. Within his pocket, Heero fingered the necklace that he had kept after Quatre's convincing. "Let us go," Dorothy murmured. Nodding, they turned as one and walked, parting ways in silence. ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ Owari ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ Sidestory: You Must Love Me Zetsumei no Yochimu Gundam Wing fanfics