A/N: Again just another break from my story 10 and 0…sorry. This story just wouldn't go away. Includes all 9 characters and my on OC character 10 from my story 10 and 0 but as humans. Please R & R, if it's bad I won't post anymore. :P

Disclaimer: I Own nothing! 9 is property of Focus Film.

Chapter 1

5 gazed up at the polluted sky as another day in this blighted emptiness began. He already had a head ache and since 1 limited the use of medications for only emergencies he was stuck with it. Normal, 5 wouldn't have minded the head ache, only it was his day to watch 6.

5 ran a hand through his light brown hair and then touched his eye patch. 6 had wanted to go play outside. 5 couldn't blame the little guy, 1 kept him locked up, in a way, in the throne room with him and 8.

6 just wanted to play, like most 13 year olds. Through most kids weren't plagued by visions. Today seemed to be a rare good day for 6 as 5 followed the little artist out into the emptiness. 5 shouldered his crossbow as the duo carefully picked their way across the landscape. 5 knew why 6 began to head towards the empty buildings, last night he had run out of ink and practically wailed all night, until 5 promised to bring him out this morning to look for some.

5 had also promised 2 he would do his best to find some food. It was so scarce now since the grocery store had collapsed in a bombardment. 8 ate the most due to his size and 1 also received quite a lion's share. 5, 2, 6 and 9 ate well enough though…5 was almost always hungry and he knew the others were too. As it was they only ate twice a day. With no snacks, though when he could 5 would sneak 6 some crackers or a bit of left over breakfast. At 20 years old, 5 didn't mind being hungry so much but…it was wrong for someone as young as 6 to be so hungry.

The wind blew suddenly forcing sand and dust into the air and 5 shielded his eye. 6 was beginning to get a bit far from him.

"Not too far 6!" 5 called above the wind but the call went unheeded as 6 continued merrily on his way. His curly hair dancing in the wind. 5 dashed after him afraid of what could happen to the little guy out here, and afraid of what 1 would have 8 do to him if he lost 6…again. Grabbing the little guy by the arm 5 tugged on him.

"Come on 6. Let's go back"

"No!" 6 shouted startling 5. 6 was usually so calm, only getting agitated…during a vision. It hit 5 like a ton of bricks 6 was having a vision and moving further away from the sanctuary. When 5 loosed his grip for fear of hurting the vision bound artist 6 began to run. After a moment 5 gave chase. Oh! If only 9 had come with him today but, 9 was surprisingly good with words and 1 had demanded 9 help with his memories. That meant poor 9 had to sit in the throne room all day and write as 1 lectured at him.

5 chased after 6 wondering how someone so small could be so very fast. He watched as 6 approached a house and leapt over a body in the doorway before continuing in. 5 stopped at the form in the door. The man was huge, not long dead either. 5 could tell, he had been studying under 2 for five years now, ever since the war started and he lost his eye. The beast of a man had been slash apart, obviously by one of the roving machine still with orders to kill all life. It could still be around, He had to get 6 and get back to the sanctuary fast.

"6?" 5 called into the dark of the broken house. "6, we need to get back."

With great care, 5 stepped over the body in the door. What had this guy been a fighter? He was huge, his size reveling 8's.

"Hurry 5! S-she's here!" 6 ducked his head back under the stairs leading down. She? Was someone alive? 5 did as told and hurried down the old wooden steps to the dark dusty basement. At first 5 saw nothing but after a moment his eye adjusted. Oddly there was a second door there. Carved into the earth. 6 pounded on the door.

"Here, here…help?" 6 asked as 5 came close. 5 nodded, 6's visions were never wrong In spite of what 1 said. He wasn't insane and if there was a she behind this door. 5 would help her.

The door itself was metal and thick, also locked. Thinking for a moment 5 saw the door was poorly built and the hinged uncared for. They were rusty. Drawing a small hammer and chisel from his cross bow quiver 5 set to work. It was slow but after an hour of hard labor the door fell away.

The smell was horrible. 5 took in the scene. There was a table, two chairs, a small sink, a pantry…and a 12 by 12 steel animal cage. Laying in a pile of dirty straw inside the cage was a girl. 5 felt immediately drawn to this form, he couldn't help wanting to care. It was his nature. Her skin was still pink, he thought, there's a chance she's still alive.

5 pulled on the cage door, it didn't budge but the metal clang it made stirred the girl from her slumber. At her movement 5 sigh, she was alive. 6 had been right…again.

Sleep fill hazel green eyes met 5's icy blue one. He smiled at her, watching her small hands rub at her face. "Hi." She jumped, sleep melting from her face and wide eyed fear replacing it. She whimpered softly and pulled herself further into the corner of the cage.

"N-no, I won't hurt you. You're safe now." 5 tried the door again. What should he do? He and 2 could probably get the door down but, it would take time. He looked at the shivering form in the cage in front of him. Her long brown hair in desperate need of a cut. 5 gasped, why he hadn't noticed she was mostly naked. Only a torn dirty shirt covering her body. No shoes, pants, socks…or underwear. More than that, she was deathly thin, with bruises on top of bruises and dried blood on her arms and back.

"I'll get you out…just give me a moment." 5 tried to reassure but she whimpered again, tears forming in her hazel green eyes.

"D-don't cry…" 5 jumped when 6 spoke. He had forgotten the little guy was there. She looked up at him.

"Don't…cry…10…5's nice." 6 smiled and handed 5 a thick metal key he had found. 5 looked at the key, then to 6. 5 shrugged and placed the key into the lock, with a click the cage door unlocked and easily moved open.

"10?" 5 questioned. She glanced up meeting his gaze again. Then he saw it, the little number 10 tattooed underneath her right eye. They all had numbers somewhere on them, and they all couldn't remember their names or lives before the war.

As he entered the cage her shivering became violent and tears flowed silently from her eyes.

"Hey, hey don't cry…I'm not going to hurt you. My name's 5. He's 6." 5 smiled as he came closer. 10 turned fearfully away, hiding her face into her hands. Now that he was closer 5 could get a good look at her injuries. These were not done by accident. He knew wounds like this too well. He had received quite a few like this from 8. Someone had done this to her. Probably that death brute outside. 5 was glad he was dead now. As she huddled before him he could also see she was barely more than skin and bones…someone…had been starving her.

"Can you stand?" 5 asked softly, backing up to give her room. She looked at him, deciding. He hoped she would trust him.

He watched as she tried to stand, wobbling like a new born foal on unsure legs. She took a step and stumbled, 5 was there in an instant catching her in his gentle embrace. She looked at him, eyes brimming with tears again.

"…I'm…sorry." 10's voice sounded rough and disused. "Please…don't hit me, I'll...I'll try again…" 10 was panting now, she had no strength left but, she had to try.

5 slipped his brown trench coat off and covered her.

"It's okay, I'll carry you." With that 5 scooped her up and began to make his way towards the stairs.

6 paused for a moment running his fingers over the iron cage key. It wasn't ink but, 6 knew he had found something good.

10 could not recall ever feeling so safe and warm, and before 5 reached the front door of the house 10 had fallen asleep.