Part 35
I found the IchiBan sitting at a small table. She was chatting politely with a pair of uniformed Humans. As soon as she saw me, though, she dismissed them, turning her attention to me.
"Home again, dear," she said, looking me up and down. "What is it that is chasing you home so often this year?"
I grinned at her and sat down. She flicked her fingers and a cup of tea appeared before me.
"Not that I am complaining, mind you, but this is rather unusual."
"I missed my favorite lady?" I suggested.
She snorted and rolled her eyes. "Oh, don't even try that on me!" She pointed a long-nailed finger at my chest. "What's up, babe?"
I wasted no more time. "Something is happening and I need advice."
She raised one eyebrow.
"I've met someone very special. It's possible I'm falling in love."
"Ah! And what makes you suspect this?"
"When we work together, I feel extremely protective toward him. When we are together away from work, I do foolish things and embarrass myself." She inclined her head, indicating that I should continue. I told her of my over reaction in the garden, my feeling of helpless anxiety during the demon event and my total lack of finesse in the library.
"And you've taken to growling at anyone who appears to be a rival," she murmured when I finished.
I hung my head. "Yes, IchiBan."
She tilted her chair and propped her feet on the table. She had dressed Western-style today, white jeans, a light blue shirt with silver buttons and blue ankle boots. Her blue-white hair was drawn up into a sort of topknot, completely off her face. She was even wearing blue eyeshadow, liner and mascara.
"I'd say your evaluation is accurate. It appears you are in love. I hope he is more than just a pretty face. When will I meet him?"
I was still dealing with her agreement. "I don't know."
The eyebrow went up again.
"I'm not sure he feels the same for me."
The second eyebrow joined the first.
"And why is that, young Wyvern?" she demanded.
"I'm a coward?" I suggested.
She snorted and smacked my hand lightly. "You are no such thing! With your parentage, that would be impossible! Now, the truth."
I searched for the words and did the best I could.
"He... scatters me. Something about him puts me off-balance, off-stride, and interrupts my flow. I tangle my tongue. My kinesthetic sense deserts me. I walk into doors. I pour tea into my saucer. I think murderous thoughts about my friends... But most of all, I don't want him to be afraid; to run away from me," I finished softly.
"And why would he run away from you? You are handsome, intelligent, charming, and talented in so many ways."
"He's skittish. He's... a Banshee."
She stared at me for a few seconds.
"A Banshee... You've lost your heart to a Banshee." Her gaze grew far away and she sighed softly. "I lost my heart to a Banshee... once upon a time..."
I'd never heard that before. "You did?"
"Oh my, yes... Oh, he was so charming. Beautiful, too. Clever and funny and so bright, he burned. Eyes green as the darkest emeralds. Hair like spun gold, halfway down his back. I loved him..."
I stared in amazement. The IchiBan in love with a Banshee!
I touched her hand.
"IchiBan, what happened? Did he leave? Did he... Did he not return your love?"
"He never knew, Heero. I never told him."
"But... Why not? If you loved him so much?" That, I couldn't fathom; not from the IchiBan. She's the most fearless person I've ever known, as well as the most powerful Wyvern in the region.
She looked down at her teacup, turning it idly. Then she smiled at me.
"Because I loved my daughter more. And they were a beautiful couple. And they gave me a beautiful grandson."
It took me a few minutes; I'm not really as perceptive as she thinks I am.
"It was Daddy... You were in love with my father..."
"He was a darling, you know. And she was my little Nikko. They were perfect together."
Well.
So much for that conversation. My tongue tied itself in a knot. The remainder of the day passed normally, but I couldn't stop thinking.
I went to bed and slept on that startling bit of news.
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I was preparing to leave when the IchiBan found me.
"Your Banshee isn't as fragile as he seems, Heero," she said to me. "And if he has any sense at all -- and most of them do -- he will consider any proposal from you very seriously before making a decision. And you may be quite surprised."
She kissed my cheek then, and hugged me.
"Thank you, Sobo," I whispered, using the name I had called her throughout my childhood.
She smiled, and her blue eyes glowed. "Fly safely, my darling, and good luck with your Banshee."
All the way back, I thought about how best to approach Duo. He must be open to my attentions, as he was the one who kissed me. And I remembered many small gestures and touches over the weeks.
Gestures and touches he also bestowed on Trowa and Wufei.
No, I decided, I will not go there now. I will not fret about his interaction with other people. I will concentrate on he and I together, and I will make it happen.
And I made a few frivolous loops and spirals and flew along side a small aircraft for a few minutes, to the startlement of the pilot and passengers.
And I smiled.