PART TWO:

 The games that Duo Maxwell had been describing weren?t exactly what he called fun?Wufei was pelted to death with snowballs, and beaten a few times with a certain pilot?s braid.  That man had strange ways of making him feel like a part of the group? Still, Duo had done that to every one of them, and he was known for his little eccentricities.

 Smirking, Wufei poured himself a cup of cocoa, and went to join the others.  He smiled softly as he looked around the living room of the mansion.  The scene before his looked so serene that he stopped in the doorway for just a bit before coming in.  Duo was sleeping peacefully on Heero?s lap, his arms unconsciously wrapping around his smirking lover.  Quatre was leaning against Trowa, both reading a fantasy novel from the library.  Once in a while, Quatre would steal glances at the pair opposite him, and smile.

 Still smiling, Wufei walked in and sat in the first available chair.  After being greeted by those who were awake, he found himself reading his novel quietly with them.  It was comforting to know that he didn?t have to do anything to be accepted by them: that he didn?t have to act loud or out of character.  No one expected anything of him, which made free to simply be.

 Heero soon left, dragging a half-asleep Duo to their bed.  He couldn?t help but smirk at the American?s behavior?once again Duo Maxwell was going to sleep in until noon.  Which, Heero granted, was better than getting up early to kill.  Though missions gave his life direction, they also tortured him.  There were some images that he would simply never get out of his head.  The small child and puppy that he?d killed in the blasts?he could never forgive himself.  All of their hands were bloody, and could never again be clean.  He would try to live after the war, if only for Duo.  After all, he?d learned to love hadn?t he?surely he was capable of learning to life a real life.

 The blue-eyed solder laid his lover down softly, curling slightly around his lithe form.  Groggily, Duo stuttered, trying to keep his head up to look at Heero.

 ?Heero *yawn* -chan??

 ?Hai, Duo.?

 Duo shook his head and rubbed his eyes warily.  Smirking, he leaned into his love and kissed his neck softly.  ?When did I fall asleep??

 ?About two hours ago.  You were snoring, Duo.?

 Duo pouted, ?I do not snore.?

 Heero shook his head with an amused smile on his face.  ?Yes, koi, you do.  Rather loudly I might add.

 Glaring playfully, the braided pilot turned his back towards his love, letting out a small grunt of offense.  ?See if you get any tonight.?

 Duo lay on his side in the darkness smirking, once in a while pausing to glance over his shoulder.  His smile soon slipped away as he realized that the threat had done nothing for him.  In fact, Heero was fast asleep.  Muttering to himself about a certain someone sleeping on the couch, Duo turned and pulled the covers against him, falling asleep once more.

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 Quatre lay on his lover?s lap, no longer looking at the novel that he held.  Wufei and the other two had all ready left, leaving them alone.  Once again, the quietness forced him into deep thinking.  Cold weather and a silent home oft led one to think about things, even if they didn?t wish too.  Now, he was forced to think about the years of war for the second time.

 His father had known that this would happen to him.  That he?d loose his innocence.  That his life would never be the same again.  His reputation was torn now; he could never again lead a normal life.  But then?he?d never truly had a normal life had he?  He?d grown up rich.  Furthermore, what was normal?  Not even those who lived in average status could answer such a question.  All that he really understood of it all was that he was different from most, not necessarily in a good or bad way.  Simply, he was different.  Through his decision, he?d lost a lot: his innocence, his family name, and much of his youthful spirit.

Technically, though, he hadn?t had it as bad as the other pilots, for three years, he?d had the Maguanacs.  He?d also had a family to begin with, even if they no longer cared for him now.  After the third year, he?d insisted that the Maguanacs go home and protect his sisters.  Part of it was worry for them, but a larger part of it was the adolescent need to prove that he could make it on his own.  To test his strength and endurance.  And while he had learned much from it, it had been a hard journey.  If not for Trowa, he might not have made it.

That thought made him look up to silent love, a simple glance at his face that held pure adoration.  That man was and would always be the one whom he held most dear.  The one person who would be able to see all of his many sides.  Sighing softly, Quatre looped an arm around his lovers waist; content to simply embrace him.

The brown-haired pilot looked down at him, studying his face with soft yet penetrating green eyes.  Finally, Trowa simply smiled a small smile, and draped his arm over Quatre?s more slender shoulders.  It was easy to tell that his love was being reflective again: his brows creased and his eyes looked almost glazed.

Looking back to his book once more, Trowa rubbed his lovers back soothingly; calming him as he would a terrified animal at the circus.  Within a few minutes  Quatre was fast asleep, curled around his lap.  The noise that came out of his throat sounded almost like the contented purr of a kitten.

The young man smirked, running his fingers through blond tresses.  ?My Cat,? he whispered; the love in his tone matching the fondness of the nick-name.  Gently Trowa leaned down to brush his lips over Quatre?s forehead.  ?I love you,? he murmured.

With one sweeping motion, the European pilot set the book down on the coffee table and picked his love up into his arms.

Gently, he laid him down on their bed and curled against him.  Quatre often thanked him for all that he?d done for him over the years, but honestly, it seemed that it was Quatre who gave more.  Everything that he did to help was balanced by his lovers ability to stay with him all these years.  Not until he had met Cat had he ever felt important.  Not until they had met had anyone bothered to understand him, least of all to try and talk with him.  He owed so much to his love because that.

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 Doesn?t everyone in our group owe everything to another?  Heero thought as he gazed out the window, into the starry night.  Duo had mended his soul, and kept everyone laughing in times of misery.  Quatre was there to talk to when anything happened, gave you a sense of importance with his caring.  Trowa was one of those quiet people who could calm and seem to understand simply by being there.  Wufei kept everyone thinking about what they were fighting for; giving the motivation to never give up.

 He had once asked Duo what he had done for anyone else.  If had he done anything good?  Heero was told that he was the strength of all those fighting, the one that the team could always count on as well as someone to look up to.  The analogy seemed a little far-fetched to him, but it was easy to tell that Duo believed it.

Heero smirked.  What a motley crew they made.  Different nature, unlike in many ways, and yet so much in common.  He himself had begun to wonder what would happen after the war?if it were to end like Duo thought.  The solder?s human soul hoped that it would, but his training made him wonder.  After years of the solder practice, how could he learn to do anything else?  It seemed utterly impossible.  This however was one of the more minor problems; the biggest was simple guilt.  Of all the lives that he?d destroyed, was he worthy of life after war?

The weight of the war seemed to be taking a toll on Heero; parts of his humanity were slowly slipping away.  It was remarkable that he was still sane, but then, he?d never even believed that he would have survived this long.  That had to tell him something.  Perhaps there would be something he could do in his lifetime to make up for the great loss.

Outside, a gentle breeze came through, caressing his skin.  Duo murmured and shivered in his sleep, cuddling closer to the one he rested by.  As the night stars twinkled, a glimmer of hope was seen through the perception of a solder.  Heero closed his eyes slowly, a small smile resting on his face as he molded his body against Duo?s sleeping form.  Pressing a soft kiss to his love?s forehead, he let himself drift off into a decent night?s sleep.   Perhaps, someday, he would make sense of his life.

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Morning:

 Quatre bounded into their room, excited eyes shimmering in the morning?s light.  In his medium-sized hands he held up the days newspaper.   ?Trowa!  Trowa!  Wake up, koi, it?s over!?

 Trowa?s brow furrowed, hating to be woken from a peaceful sleep.  Finally, his eyelids opened, revealing dark emerald eyes.  ?Quatre, what are you talking about?? He asked calmly, yawning and rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

 The blond smiled the happiest smile that Trowa had ever seen: a smile that completely warmed his heart.  Quatre bounded over to him, and positioned himself to sit on his love?s torso.  Giving him a peck on the cheek, he handed Trowa the article.

 ?It?s official Trowa, the delegates have concluded their talk.  The war is finally over.  Oh, koi, we?re free from this now!  We?re free from all the death!  The colonies can live again!?  Quatre looked down into emerald eyes, showing his obvious hope and happiness.

 Trowa looked back at the paper and skimmed through.  ?Quatre, love, it doesn?t say anything for sure.?  The European pilot studied the Arabian intently as he stated his logic.  ?Hints aren?t the same as hard-core evidence,? he added softly.

 Quatre sobered a little.  Sighing, he tried to control his emotions.  He understood Trowa?s logic, but he didn?t want to accept the fact.  He couldn?t!  The war had to be over, it just had to be!  Finally he shook himself, and placed a smile back on his face.

?There?s still hope Trowa; hints are better than nothing.?  With a grin, Quatre lowered himself against Trowa, then slowly and passionately kissed him.  ?Come now, love,? he whispered, ?Let?s enjoy what we have.?

With a teasing look, the Arabian began to walk away from his lover.  His hips swaying ever so slightly.  He did not, however, get too far.

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 Duo looked up from his spot on the sofa as soon as he heard the word peace.  From that moment on his eyes were glued to the TV, seeing what had transpired.  Trowa and Quatre were both still in their room, Heero on his computer, and Wufei was seated right next to him.

Looking to Wufei for a brief moment, he began to speak.  ?Do you think?.?

?Shh,? the oriental man replied, indicating that he wanted to hear this.

 The news and the Television blared on, and soon all of the gundam party were huddled over the coach, looking in.

  ?I stand here today among the political leaders who are striving to make good of war.  Within the procedures, sources have said there are hopes for an ending to this crisis.  Colonies are willing to stand down their arms if other faction leaders will give word of their now docile behavior.  Relena Peacecraft, who was among those delegates, is said to be giving a speech at the next meeting.  This has been a WKO report, we?ll keep you posted.  Goodnight.?

 Trowa was quiet as he looked about the room.  All the pilots looked more skeptical than before, but they were still reaching desperately towards the single hope that may keep them sane.  They all crowded together on the sofa now, waiting for the next bit of news to come.  Waiting, with anticipation, to be set free.