Yay me for updating fast!

This takes place four years after the prologue.

Thank you to all that reviewed! I love you!

Xx Lady Xiao xX

DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING!

Summary: Set back during the Great Depression, five friends just try to stick together during the hard times.

Pairings not being stated. Some obvious though.

Ages: Raye and Lita: 21, Amy and Mina: 20, Serena: 19

Trowa and Heero: 22. Duo, Wufei, and Quatre: 20

Roses

Chapter One

Four Years Later

December 15, 1933

-Raye-

I stopped weeping for my ailing heart years ago, the walls I set for myself protecting me now against the harsh reality of the real world. In times like these there is no time to feel sorry for yourself. The moment’s you spend pitying yourself I found can be put to better use.

I would be lying if I said I didn’t think about him sometimes. I do everyday. As much as I would like to completely forget him, I can’t. It is like a scar, except this one is more than skin deep.

Lita, of course, has made the transition without him a lot easier. All the girls have really. Even though it stings every time we go to our spot to relax I just put on my smile and pretend it doesn’t bother me. That is the only way I have found that works. I just pretend not to care at all.

Everyone tells me it is bad to keep things bottled up; that I need to let my feelings out and get them off my chest. I believe that would make it worse. I haven’t cried in four years, since the day he walked away from my shaking hands.

“Hey, Raye…” Lita wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. She still wore pants, although they were a little too short for her long legs. She still wore her hair in a ponytail, brown curls falling to her shoulders. She is someone that I can’t wait to see on their wedding day. Lita never fixes herself up and I don’t think I have ever seen her hair out of her ponytail, so the day she does I look forward to. Even though I wouldn’t put it past her to walk down the aisle in trousers.

“How is your mom?” I ask meekly, afraid to receive bad news. Mrs. King had caught an illness a few months back, only to get worse with each passing day. We couldn’t afford to go to a doctor and Amy’s father was booked with patients. The past few days have been by far the most unpleasant. She would wake up at night, tossing her stomach and with chills. We all did what we could to help, but each of us lacked the medical knowledge to do any good.

“It is looking really bad, Raye…” She mumbled, giving a long sigh as she fell into a chair by the dining table. “I am trying to take care of her and take her place at work… but it is so hard.”

I pulled one of two remaining chairs next to Lita, sitting beside her to show I would listen if she needed to talk. When in distress, neither of us particularly cared for sympathy, we just liked to sit in each other’s company, knowing the silence was enough to satiate our need for comfort.

“I don’t know what to do, Raye. We can’t afford any medicine or decent food. It grows colder outside with every passing hour… I fear she will die of the cold in her sleep. I don’t want to lose her like I lost my dad, Raye.”

I really didn’t know what to say, and if I did, I wouldn’t know if to say it or not. My father walked out on us a long time ago, so I really didn’t care much about him. But, what would I do if my mom died? She is the only living relative I have left. I can’t imagine losing her.

Maybe that is what Lita is feeling too. Her only family is dying right before her, and she can do nothing about it.

“I don’t want to tell Serena or Mina because they still have both of their parent’s. They have a family still. I know they won’t say anything to make me upset on purpose, but they will say that it is all ok and that they understand… They don’t understand at all! They haven’t had to watch either of their parent’s die before…”

I just sat there, my hands resting in my lap and head turned down. She was right. Mina and Serena, both of them being understanding and loving by nature, would do exactly as Lita said they would in their attempt to console her. They have done it on numerous occasions before this, but of course, on nothing this terrible.

Like us, Ami has lost a parent, so she can connect to us on that level. She relays information to us when we pass on the stairs or when we get a chance in private, but since she hasn’t had the chance to go to medical school, her knowledge is limited. All the information she can give us are things she can get out of her father.

“Alright, I have to go to work now.” She proclaimed, pushing herself from her seat and grabbing her thick, brown jacket from the makeshift coat hanger by the front door. I could tell she was trying to cover up her frustration, and she was masking it well.

“Can you watch her while I am gone? I should be back tonight.”

I gave a small nod, knowing that the next ten hours I would spend relatively lonely, save a few visits from the girls and Mrs. King. Lita usually runs into my mother on her way home, so they will both come in at the same time. I like that they won’t be alone for some of their walk, but I wish one of them would get off sooner.

“I’ll watch your mother. Be safe.”

With that Lita shut the door.

-Mina-

I hate this apartment.

You would think after four years I would get used to it, but alas, I have not. I don’t think I ever will. After living so high up your entire life, the fall down the ladder is rough. It is hard to see how the other half lives.

The sad part is that I don’t think I would even realize it if my best friends weren’t poor. I watch how they do things, how they walk, eat, and dress. It bothers me that this was the life they are used to. Well, to an extent. It has never been this bad before. Raye and Lita probably had it the worst financially. They had one of the cheapest apartments in the entire tenement and rent was still a struggle to pay. I feel sorry for them, but I would never tell them that. They pride themselves in what they do.

Out of all of us, Serena has the worst home life. Her mother constantly badgers her about marriage, telling her she needs to contribute to the family. I wonder how she takes it. Contrary to popular belief, Serena isn’t one to go pouring her problems to everyone. If I wasn’t around to get them out of her I don’t believe she would ever get them into the open. She doesn’t want to burden everyone with her issues, but I have the least amount to bear, so taking some emotional strife away from her is something I am glad to do.

In the other room I hear Quatre talking to my mother, both of them making small talk over a cup of tea. Thinking of him always brings a smile to my face. It is hard to believe we have been married for three months already. It was a small wedding, only the girls, my parents, and his father being present. A priest at the Church a few blocks away held it for a small sum of money, even allowing Raye to play the piano as I walked down the aisle. Serena had made my dress for me, saying that it was exactly what she wanted her dress to look like one day. Even though it was not how I imagined myself getting married, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Quatre had asked to court me about a year after I moved in, a blush on his face as he popped the question. He told me he had already talked to my father and that he was granted permission, and despite his status and poverty he promised to treat me like a princess, loving me with the entirety of his heart.

He has kept his promise for three years, and now that we are wed, the bond will only grow stronger.

He said that we are going to move into a nicer house eventually. He has some money saved up that he is going to use after things get better so we aren’t in constant fights with debt. With the help of my parents he even wants to send me to school so I can get an education.

I don’t know how I got so lucky.

As if he read my mind, my husband walks into our bedroom, closing the door quietly behind him. He gives me a warm smile and runs a hand through his hair, blushing a little.

“What are you embarrassed about?” I pry, wanting to know what exactly was getting him worked up. Even though he gets embarrassed easily, I can tell when he is really flustered. His cheeks stay red while he either messes with his blonde locks or fiddles with his pants.

“It’s nothing, really.” Quatre informed, but I know better. I watched him from the corner of my eye as he feel down on the bed beside me, my hair flowing around us. He is terrible at hiding things, which also makes him bad at surprises. I don’t mind though. It is apart of his charm.

“Nothing?” I ask, a hint of sarcasm in my voice. He looked at me from the corner of his eye and smiled.

“Yes… nothing.”

I huffed and rolled over, my back towards him. It bothered him when I was hurt, so I did this to get him to tell me things sometimes. I couldn’t help but smile as I felt his arm drape over me, hand connecting with my own.

“Do you really want to know?”

I smiled weakly as I cuddled against him, his breath hot against my cheek. “Yes, I do want to know. My mother must have said something to embarrass you that much.”

I felt him shift and I could tell that he was getting defensive. “I wasn’t embarrassed.”

“Uh huh… then why were you so flushed?” He relaxed himself again, his head falling back into place on his pillow. I knew I had him.

“Your mother was asking me when we’re going to start having children.”

I think I stopped breathing at this point. Having children? I don’t even think I am fit enough to take care of myself, much less another life. I would like to have kids someday, but now? My mother wanted grandchildren now?

“Are you ok?” Quatre questioned, shaking me back to reality. I think my lack of air intake was beginning to scare him.

“Yeah… yeah, I am ok.” I answered, which was true. I was just shocked. Who would have thought they would have been discussing kids.

He snaked his other arm around me and held me close to his chest, reminding me why I married him. It was just so perfect. Everything was perfect.

“What are you thinking about?”

I don’t know if I could tell him I wasn’t ready to have kids. He seemed so excited to talk about it. I know we have been together for a long while, but something is just bothering me about this whole baby thing. So, I came up with something just as reasonable.

“Will you still love me when I’m fat?”

Quatre laughed a little, letting go of me for a moment. “Mina Winner, I am going to love you ‘till the day I die.”

I looked up at him as he leaned over me, mouthing ‘I love you’ before he placed a kiss on my smiling lips.

It was going to be a cold trip home today. I could already tell. The wind was howling outside, the winter breeze carrying the thousands of snow flakes needed to create the white blankets we see on the roads each morning. My jacket was only heavy enough to repel the initial blast of the first gust before I settled into a temporary state of cold.

My fingers weakly grasped the outsides of my coat, my knuckles turning white. The chill of the New York air ran its cold fingers around my neck and cheeks, making me shiver. I detested the winter months. I would rather spend my afternoons in the sunlight of the spring.

The streets were relatively empty. A streetlight a few yards away flickered before shutting off completely, making me feel lonelier than I already did. Winter always had this effect on me, especially in times like these.

After a while I got used to the cold, my hands now relaxed inside my coat pockets. I should be meeting up with Mrs. Hill in a few minutes, the street crossing before our tenement being where we usually join paths. After that we had a good fifteen minute stretch to walk, and then to our cold, dreary apartment we would go.

I wonder how my mother was feeling. Surely she was doing better. My mother was a strong woman, someone who fought through all of her life challenges. She wouldn’t let this illness bring her down.

Would she?

“Lita, dear!”

I jump out of my current thoughts and see Mrs. Hill, walking to me with her coat pulled together tight. She was a pretty woman; long, black hair and amethyst colored eyes. Raye definitely got her looks from her mother.

“Hello, Mrs. Hill.”

We walked along mostly in silence, dropping a few comment’s here and there. She told me some stories about her day at work in which I returned with my own. Our walks were always like this.

“How was your mother when you left?” She questioned, our tenement in sight. My mother and Mrs. Hill are best friends, almost as close as Raye and I. I could tell she was deeply worried, but she was trying to cover it so I wouldn’t worry. I believe this is who Raye inherited her art of masking feelings from.

“She was getting better.” I lied, feeling it down deep within my stomach. She wasn’t getting any better and I knew it. But, for some reason I couldn’t bear to say otherwise. “Raye has been keeping an eye on her for me.”

Mrs. Hill nodded, leaving the rest of the walk in silence. The wind seemed to understand our feelings, calming itself until it was only a whisper. I couldn’t help but feel anxious. Something was going to happen soon.

“Oh,” Mrs. Hill stopped in front of the door, looking to the ground. I didn’t see what it was until I got closer. “It is a rose.”

It was a rose, a perfect red one.

“I wonder…” She picked up the flower and looked at the piece of paper dangling from the stem. A confused look crossed her face for a moment before she handed it to me. “It says it is for Raye…”

It was then that I knew what was going to happen.

If I have to listen to my mother say one more thing about marriage, I am going to go insane.

It has always been a touchy subject, but now that Mina has married Quatre, things have gotten out of hand. Every time I cook dinner, my mother sticks in a comment about how lovely a housewife I would be. When I commented on the width of my hips, she told me that they were for the childbearing I should be doing in the next year.

Sometimes I wish I was a male.

“Serena…” I heard her call from our kitchen, her voice reminding me of all the nagging I have endured. I love my mother, really, I do. But, this marriage nonsense has to end. “Serena, dear… will you please come here?”

Pushing myself off my bed, the cold draft of the night air hitting my arms as the covers gave way; I puttered towards the kitchen, secretly dreading the upcoming conversation. My father was probably asleep already, so he wouldn’t be there to referee our debate. Great.

Upon entering the kitchen, my mother sat at the table, her eyes red and face blotchy. She looked as though she had been crying. Pulling a chair of my own next to her shaking form, I grab one of her hands, massaging it gently.

“What is wrong, mother?”

She took in sharp breaths, her blue eyes bloodshot. Even though my mother got on my nerves and was a complete nag, I still hated to see her upset. I remember when she first told me that she lost her job, the reason being because she was a married woman and it was being given to a man. I don’t believe I have ever seen her so hysterical.

“I… I got a letter from your brothers today…” She wiped her eyes with her free hand, afterwards pushing an open letter towards me. I waited to see if she had more to say, but I soon found that she only wanted me to read the letter.

It was weird seeing Heero’s handwriting. I haven’t seen it in so long I almost forgot what it looked like. But, seeing his chicken-scratch made me smile weakly, bringing back memories of so long ago.

I had always gotten along with Duo the best, him treating me more as a friend than a sibling. Heero was the overprotective brother who threatened anyone who crossed my path, telling them to ‘leave my innocence well alone’ before entrusting me to their company. But, I love them both equally and unconditionally.

Reading the letter made me feel like he was here with me, speaking of his trials in my ears. I didn’t realize until now how much I missed them. He wrote of his many adventures, riding the trains with Duo. They had met up with a pair of siblings, Millard and Relena Craft, and were currently making their way back to New York.

Wait, New York?

“T-they are coming back?”

I saw my mother nod in reassurance, burying her head in her hands as she leaned on the table. I couldn’t decide why she was crying, but I assumed I would find out in due time. After dropping the letter on the table, I fell back into my seat, my mind running in circles.

My brother’s were coming back.

I really enjoy the cold weather. The other girls detest it, but I find an odd sense of comfort embedded in the chilled winds. My father shares the same feelings, so we aren’t quick to shut the window completely.

My thoughts are tending to wonder as I lie here, bundled in my sheets with my head buried in the feathery solace of my pillow. The confines of my bedroom are where my mind is free to express itself, not afraid of the social confines on today’s society. Some might find it strange that I, a woman, ponder over so many things.

That is really my forte though, thinking. I do it a lot so I must be decent at it by now. I find great pleasure in it however, so something most find strenuous is nothing more than a moment of enjoyment for me.

Sometimes I believe things would be easier if I were a male. I would be taken more seriously, for one, and I would be able to get into medical school on scholarships. After reviewing my test scores, the deans of numerous colleges always begged for me to attend their school, but I would have to pay on my own. They said in times like these they couldn’t offer full scholarships, much less to a woman.

My father never stressed much over me going to school. He said he liked having me here at home so he didn’t mind having to wait for my college money. It was killing me though.

The girls all tried to comfort me, telling me that I would eventually get to go achieve my goals and become a doctor. I know that they were trying in their own way to help me, keep me content in my time of despair. But, they just don’t fully understand. None of them have ever thought about college.

If I was already done with medical school, I could be helping out Mrs. King by now. She would be well on her feet and off the cheap medicines Raye and Lita buy at the pharmacy. I don’t mean to be insulting, knowing that the medicine she is on is all they can afford, but it is mediocre at best. If I was a skilled doctor, I could be helping them out of that problem.

But, I am not a doctor.

At least I don’t have to deal with a marriage obsessed mother like Serena. I haven’t even spoken more than three words to Wufei or Quatre, and I have known them for about four years now. I just can’t imagine getting married. I think I will be one of those women who marry their profession instead of a man.

The lights are all out in my home now, my father’s footsteps leading from his study area to his bed. He is trying to be as quiet as possible, thinking I am long lost in the sleeping realm. My poor father, who has suffered so much by the cruel hand of fate, always tried so hard.

Tomorrow I am supposed to go with Serena to the store. She doesn’t like to go alone and asked me to join her. I usually don’t have much to do, so I complied. Besides, what could be better than hanging out with one of my best friends?

Since it is winter, and I am the only one who seems to enjoy the cold, we haven’t had as many meetings on the rooftops as we had during the fall. I really miss them. We used to all sit up there for hours, each of us discussing our problems and worries, not afraid to speak our minds. That remains the sole reason for me to want spring to come.

My eyes are growing heavy now, my mind bogged down with many thoughts. Under a blanket of stars I shall sleep, the winter breeze chilling my body, with a full day ahead of me tomorrow.