Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Moirai ❯ Chapter 1 ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: None of these characters are mine. In other words: Don’t own. Don’t sue. Thank you!   Moirai   Chapter One   By: Penybright

Consciousness came slowly. He opened heavy lids observing the rough thatch ceiling and wooden cross-beams above. Wiggling his fingers and toes, he was relieved to find that he wasn’t paralyzed. Heero’s surroundings slowly came into focus. He appeared to be in a small cottage. The furniture was sparse, but looked comfortable and well maintained; books were scattered everywhere. He attempted to sit up and found that he could not. Trying to do so only caused crippling pain. His head felt like a lead weight, pulling him down to the soft mattress beneath him. A breathy moan escaped him as the full extent of his injuries made their presence known.

"Ah, finally with us in the world of the living," a friendly voice said, light footsteps approaching.

An older man with graying hair and muddy brown eyes swam into Heero's blurry vision. He opened his mouth to speak but paused, swallowing thickly in pain.

"Who... Who are you?" he managed, surprised at the sound of his own voice.

"I, my boy, am the man who saved you from death."

Heero tried to recall the events that had resulted in him being here. Saved him from death? Laboriously, he began to piece together ragged fragments of his memory.

"I… remember some of it.” He paused. “I can't remember anything before then, though."

"Amnesia," the man nodded. "I expected as much. You took quite a few blows to the head."

"Where am I?"

"You're in my home. You'll be safe here."

The man paused.

"My name is Jeopold.”

"I- I'm..."

Flashes came to him of a young woman with blond hair screaming his name in a desperate plea for help. He shuddered.

"...Heero."

The old man nodded, slipping out of Heero's vision and returning with a bowl of thick liquid. He helped him to sit up.

"I want you to drink this. It'll help with the pain.”

Heero took the offered bowl without comment, draining the vile liquid with a grimace.

“Once your rested and feeling better, we'll talk some more,” Jeopold nodded, watching Heero’s eyes begin to glaze over. Within moments, his eyelids drooped shut, his body slipping back into the world of dreams. Jeopold watched the young man sadly. His wounds, both physical and mental would take time to heal. He had a long road to travel before he’d be healed completely, and even then he might have some permanent damage. It wouldn't be easy.

"Sleep well, little brother," Jeopold murmured, his form shimmering and reasserting itself. A tall man with violet eyes, his chestnut hair pulled back into a long braid, stood looking over the unconscious young man.   [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

A clear, cloudless azure sky looked down upon the changing earth. The air was crisp and cool, befitting of a fall day. As Heero walked through the backwoods, his sharp eyes observed the motely assortment of colors. Leaves ranging from burgundy to ochre rustled in the soft breeze, some drifting languidly down to their fellows on the ground.

Heero had spent the last year or so living with Jeopold. He had taught Heero many things in that time, as well as helped him to recover from his rather grievous wounds. He had spent much of those first months in bed with his nose in a book, resulting in him having a vast knowledge of different customs, kingdoms, and various languages. Once he was able, the old man had Heero running around the cottage, performing all kinds of chores, and learning the basics of swordplay. Idle time was something Jeopold grudgingly gave Heero.

The old man was still an enigma of sorts to the young man. He would often speak of a time when Heero would discover his "true talent", whatever that was. He was full of cryptic comments, and never ceased to speak in riddles. Heero trusted his judgment though, and smartly obeyed when told to do something.

As soon as he saw the horse tethered outside, Heero knew something was amiss. Jeopold didn't own a horse. Never had. He had no need to. The subdued young man stepped up to the slightly ajar door, a frown tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Master Jeopold?"

He pushed the front door open with caution. Stepping inside, he found Jeopold in a heated discussion with a young man around his age. At Heero's entrance, the guest turned to face him. Cool black eyes regarded him clinically. Heero instantly noted the uniform and slicked back hair pulled into a tight ponytail. Why was a Guard at his master's home?

"Heero, this is Captain Chang Wufei," Jeopold introduced, cutting through the stagnate silence.

"He doesn't look like much," Wufei commented dryly.

Heero looked at Jeopold questioningly.

"The Captain here has come to recruit you. Go and pack for your journey."

Jeopold sighed heavily, running a hand over his face.

Heero silently left the room, casting a wary glance at Wufei.

"He doesn't trust easily. That's good."

"I can't say I like this, Wufei."

"You yourself said he'd do well in the Guard."

"Yes, but he isn't very... friendly. Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"His job isn't to be a friend to the Princess. His job is to protect her, at all costs."

"Yes, yes. I suppose..." Jeopold trailed off as Heero returned, a tote and bedroll tucked under his arm.

"Shall we go?" Wufei questioned, beginning towards the door. Heero nodded, not once glancing back.

"Remember everything I've taught you."

Jeopold's parting words rang through Heero's mind as he followed Wufei's roan. He somehow felt... betrayed. Was this what Jeopold had eluded to before, when he said that one day, Heero would be called away? Only time would tell, and Heero knew that he wasn't going to like the answers.

Duo watched until Heero and Wufei were out of sight. Once he was sure they were gone, he allowed his guise to drop. Tired violet eyes gazed sadly at the spot he had last seen his brother. Heero wasn't the same anymore. He was still the kind person Duo remembered, but that soul was buried deep within a guarded shell. A shell that would hopefully one day be broken.

"May the Fates have mercy on you, brother," Duo whispered before slipping back inside the cottage he now called home. Fate had finally decided to make its move, and its pawn was all to willing to go to his death.