***Yuri***

I felt something was strange as we walked down the hallway. Then I knew�it was the silence. Silence? Duo did follow me, didn�t he? I turned around to check. Yup, he was there. But why was he so quiet? I wondered if something was wrong...all the years I�ve known him, he was never quiet for more than a few seconds.

�Duo? Hello? Anybody in that head of yours? Hmm you are being weird. Ah well, no harm in you being silent for a few minutes.�

Though I said that, I was seriously worried. Duo�s always so talkative and hyper. But, no time to worry about him. I finally found my uncle, sitting in a chair and watching television..sheesh.

�Uncle? Duo�s here!�

The old man turned around. �Duo! How nice to see you again young man. How are you?�

No reply from the hyperactive and sometimes maniacal boy.

I looked at my uncle and he looked at me.

�What did you do to him?� Uncle questioned.

�ME?! Whatdya mean what did I do to HIM?� *Sweatdrop* �Hehe...maybe this�ll get his attention...� I laughed evilly, and yanked hard on Duo�s braid.

�ITAIIIIII!! Yuri what was THAT for?! Oi...my poor head. Dontcha think I�ve been through enough head damage in war? How comfortable do you think the inside of a Gundam is? Well actually with all things considered pretty comfortable but that�s not the point here! Oh, hey Mr. Chen! How are ya?�

I giggled. �Gomen ne, Duo kun. But hey, Uncle, look! Duo�s back to his old, talkative self again. Oh darn..�

My uncle looked at the both of us with exasperation all over his face. �Duo, glad to see you�re talking again. How are you? If you�re in good health I could use your help around here.�

�Uncle...he just got back. Give him a few days to rest, would you? Then you can talk about hiring him. Anyway, what are you complaining about? I do all the work around here!!� I frowned.

�But Yuri you�re not strong enought to lift the bigger parts.�

I silenty fumed. �Well if you�d just let me use a mobile suit!!�

Duo looked back and forth. �Iie, it�s ok Yuri. I can start working now if you want Mr. Chen.�

Uncle grinned. �Great Maxwell! Be here tomorrow morning at eight sharp. Yuri will take you over.�

�Oh, yeah, Duo. Do you have a place to stay? My apartment�s pretty big and you�re welcome to room with me for free. Just don�t try any dirty stuff or I�ll kick you out.�

�Could I really? I don�t have enough money to rent an apartment right now. Domo arigato!�

�Aww you know you�re always welcome at my place. What are best friends for anyway right? Come on, you�ve got to be starving by now. We�ll go to the market and get some shrimp, garlic, and butter...hmm what else? Ummmm let�s see...I should buy some milk and juice too. And I�m out of ice cream, cookies, and chips. I�m sure you still like junk food, ne?�

�Hai! You know I love it. Watashi wa aisu-kurimu suki desu!�

I laughed, and we said goodbye to my uncle.

***Duo***

The trip to the market was very interesting, to say the least. I set Yuri in a shopping cart and she started yelling at me. Finally, though, I had to let her out because the manager was coming to see what all the racket was. She bought loads of food, food I like. Yuri was always like that. Her friends and family always mattered so much to her that she would die before betraying anyone.

�Heeey what a nice place you�ve got here! Do you really pay for all this by yourself? It must be expensive!�

Her apartment was gigantic. Two spacious bedrooms; a vast living room with a 50� television, three tall cases filled with numerous books and videos, a pool table, couch, and a coffee table; a gourmet kitchen; and a reasonably-sized balcony. Some balconies are two by five, but not hers. Yuri�s balcony was big enough to hold two chairs, a table, and a miniature Gundam. Which is exactly what was there.

�Ano..Yuri?�

�Hmm?� She was putting away the groceries.

�Eh...did you build this?�

�Nani? The Gundam? I built that out of some spare parts Uncle let me have.�

�Wow, seriously? That�s impresive! Hey, you really want to be a pilot don�t you?� I hoped she would say no. If her answer was yes...well how could I deny her her goal? I could never not give her what she wants.

�Well...yes. But there�s no way I can every become one. And just because my parents live on Earth doesn�t mean I can do whatever I want you know.�

My heart sank. What else could I do? She�s always wanted to pilot a Gundam. This is probably the only wish I could ever grant her anyway.

�Yuri. Listen carefully. If you truly want to become a pilot...I can talk to Professor G for you. But please think it over, ok? Please Yuri.� I turned to face her, with a serious expression.

�Really? Could you really do that for me Duo?�

I smiled half-heartedly. �Yea Yuri. I can.�

She ran over and hugged me. As I put my arms around her, I thought to myself, �What am I thinking? I�m putting her in too much danger! Oh God...Yuri, please change your mind. Please. I don�t know what I�d do if anything happened to you.�

Musical laughter filled in the silence. �Duo, you�re the best! Aishiteru! Now, I gotta go call Kyra. Be right back, kay?�

Nod. I sank down into the couch. Kuso...what did I just do? It�s too dangerous for her to be out there piloting a Gundam. Doubtless, she�s good. She has to be, after beating me in practice all that time. But when was the last time she was in a mobile suit? Not mention a Gundam! I know, I should have faith in her. And I do, but I just cannot afford for her to get injured. Physically and emotionally. I don�t want her to have to carry the guilt of taking away so many lives; she deserves much better after everything she�s been through.