Epilogue: Eulogies

*“It’s a beautiful portrait.” Hilde strained through her tears. The pilots and their girlfriends had gathered in a small chapel to pay their last respects to their dear friend and comrade.

“I wonder who did it?” Duo asked, unashamed to let him own tears trail down his pale cheeks.

“The portrait was done by a young woman named Serena Tsukino. She and Hiiro had grown very close over the week he spent in the hospital.” The group turned to face a sullen man in a long white lab coat with a large, buxom woman on his arm. “You must be Hiiro’s friends?”

“I’m Duo, Duo Maxwell.” The braided boy held his hand out for the doctor to grasp.

“It’s nice to meet you Mr. Maxwell. Talking to you over the phone isn’t the same as meeting you in person.

“It’s nice to meet you as well Doctor Benson.”

“Carl, please.”

“Carl.” Duo nodded, his lips pursed tightly, his face gaunt and expression sullen. “You were the doctor that found them then?”

“Yes. My wife Bertha and I found them.” Carl gulped.

“I’m… I’m so sorry…” Duo gulped, choking back tears.

“Carl, do you think you could tell us how he, well, you know?” Quatre looked up through the tears that were streaming down his face. Dorothy already had Quatre in a hug, but the blonde boy couldn’t hold his tears in. Even with his good friends and girlfriend beside him, he couldn’t handle it.

“I’m surprised the coroner didn’t tell you.” Carl took a deep breath. “Mr. Maxwell, are you a God-fearing man?”

“Yes, sir, I am.” Duo’s eyes leaked salty tears.

“Then Hiiro was an angel, one of God’s.” All four of the pilot’s heads looked up at the man with skepticism in their eyes.

“Carl, we served in the Eve Wars with Hiiro Yui for over five years. In all that time, Hiiro has been called many things, but an angel has never been one. Do not dishonor his memory by lying about him.” Sally lay her hand on his shoulder, and Wufei placed his hand atop hers, drawing strength from the comfort she offered him.

“Mr. Chang, I assure, it is no lie. Hiiro was an angel. Didn’t anyone tell you how he died?”

“We know he committed suicide.” Trowa replied robotically. Catherine pressed herself into his side more.

“Hiiro killed himself while he was wrapped up in the arms of the woman whom he loved. She had killed herself, and Hiiro, not wanting to be apart from her in this life or the next, took his own life. When we found them, they were still kissing. He died not the death of one who committed suicide, but of an angel who wanted to stay with the woman he loved.”

“Hiiro was in love?” Quatre gasped.

“He fell in love with another of my patients, Ms. Serena Tsukino. The very same woman who painted that portrait.”

“He was in love with a crazy woman?”

“She was not crazy.” Bertha interjected, her eyes full of passionate tears. “Serena was traumatized by her father and mother. She was an anorexic bulimic that had attempted suicide after her father had raped her. Hiiro fell in love with her.”

“And he was happy?” Duo asked.

“Very.” Carl nodded, trying to assure Hiiro’s friends.

“Can everyone please be seated so we may begin the ceremony?” Asked the priest at the alter in front of them. They quickly took their seats.

“There comes a day of revelation in everyone’s life. Whether they learn they are old, or young, or not quite as invincible as they once believed they were. In Hiiro Yui’s life, his day of revelation came on the day of his death.” The priest paused. “Hiiro Yui was a man of many talents. He was the top Preventer on payroll. He was the best computer programmer that DCG had ever hired. He was a friend, though at times a temperamental one, and he was an honest man who was trying to pay retribution for his wartime acts. Hiiro Yui was more, though. He was a man that gave his life for love, and for that, we must all pray God will be understanding and forever merciful. As Saint Francis de Sales once said: “Nothing is so strong as gentleness; nothing is s gentle as real strength.” ” The priest finished. “If anyone would like to say a few words about Hiiro, please feel free to step forward now.”

“I would.” A sweet voice echoed through the church. A woman dressed in a white suit with a blonde bun stood from the back of the church and walked forward. As she took the pulpit, she smiled sweetly and sadly.

“Hiiro Yui was, in everyway, my guardian angel. He walked with me in life when I was heartbroken, beaten, and ruined. He walked with me in life, when I was cheerful, in love, and happy. He told me he loved me; she showed me he loved me, and he made me love him. Hiiro Yui was and is, in every way, my savior. He saved me in every way a person can be saved. Never before had I believed such an angel of innocence and protection would ever find me, but when I met him, my faith was restored.

“For those of you who weep today for the loss of a friend, the loss of a comrade, and the loss of one so great, do not cry. Ro is happy, well, and healthy in Heaven- and I guarantee that he wants to see you all there when your time has come.” She gave a quick nod at the end of her speech, and then she turned and walked out the doors of the church.

For a long time no one spoke, all were moved by the strange woman’s delicate manner and touching speech. When the shock had finally worn off, they began to stand, milling around, hugging and comforting each other.

“I’ve never seen her, but she claimed Hiiro loved her.” Trowa mussed.

“I thought Hiiro loved the artist Serena, the woman that Carl mentioned.” Duo asked.

“I know he loved her.” Carl joined them.

“Then who was she?” Wufei grumbled.

“Ro… Ro… that name is so familiar. Where have I heard it before?”

“I’m going to carry her.” The doctor and nurse both turned to face Hiiro Yui. His face was set in a harsh, unforgiving expression, and his eyes were molten pools of blue lava. Both could tell her was absolutely livid. They stood by and watched as he slowly approached the young girl who was raving on the floor.

“Serena?” He asked very gently. “Serry? Come on Serry, it’s me, Ro.”

“Don’t touch me!” She screamed again. But Hiiro was not to be deterred. He continuously got closer, and finally was able to draw her into a stiff hug.

“Serena, it’s me, Hiiro.”

“That’s it!” Carl jumped, surprising everyone near him. “Serena… Serena used to call him Ro. It was her nickname for him.”

“But no one could ever call Yui that and get away with it. He would kill them first.” Wufei scoffed.

“Then, that woman…” Quatre looked at the doors. “Was she…? Is that possible?”

“Serena’s ghost?” Duo whispered. They looked towards the ceiling of the church, and each of them suddenly felt warm and relaxed as a yellow light gleamed down from above. They stood basking in the light as long as it continued, and when it finally ended, they knew the truth.

“Hiiro, Serena, we’ll never forget you.” Duo uttered. *

The End.

~~~ Well? How about it then? I hope you all enjoyed this fic. I worked incredibly hard on it- pulled an all-nighter to finish it actually. It turned out nearly exactly as I had hoped, though I would have liked to make their death scene longer, I thought people would riot (lol).

PLEASE RATE ME: 1-10, 1 worst, 10 best, no mark-downs for killing them off.

Thank you all for supporting me and reviewing this fic during the duration of it. You’ll never know just how much each and every review means to me. Much love to everyone, Vixen~~~ Rix13rix@aol.com