Promises To Keep by jmi
Author's Notes: It's not apparent at first who the boys are at the beginning of the story. I thought this was an interesting ploy to attract people who might otherwise shy away from the characters. The story itself is AU, or is it? Inspired by a debate and theory I read on a Gundam Wing message board.
Disclaimer: Gundam Wing characters are owned by lucky bakas at Sotsu/Sunrise (who really should be out there making a sequel or something).
*****************************
Year: AC 181
*****************************
The nine year old winced as the sound of flesh striking flesh again filled the room. He'd seen his Father's rages all his young life, but they had never been this bad. He glanced warily at his younger, fairer best friend who looked on the verge of tears.
*He probably never knew there were parents who treat their children like this,* he frowned to himself. A cry from his sister brought his attention back to the room below them.
"You DARE to come back here after you dishonored your family!" his Father screamed. "And to compound your disrespect you bring that bastard half breed child with you!" his fist again connected with his daughter's jaw. The brown haired girl fell backwards, her skull made a sickening smack as it struck the unforgiving marble fireplace hearth. The boys stifled their cries as the hawk-faced man kicked the girl in the side; turning her limp body over. He scowled at the deep red stain that was spreading across the white stone. "Michaels!" he bellowed as he crossed to the bar and poured himself a drink.
A thin man in a military uniform appeared in the doorway. "Sir!" he replied sharply at attention.
"I want you to take this away," he gestured at the lifeless body sprawled on the floor. "And make sure whatever hole you put it in, that half-breed is in there with it."
"Yes, Sir!" the soldier saluted again.
The boy pulled his now sobbing friend's arm as they ran through the manor's hallways. "I... I... she's dead isn't she," the younger boy cried. "Maria's dead...."
"I think so," the boy replied. He would cry for his sister later, but right now he had a promise to keep. They ran into his sister's room and locked the door.
"Wha... what are we gonna do?" the younger tried to calm his tears. The boy crossed to a crib near the window and gathered up his sister's year-old son.
"Maria knew something bad was gonna happen. She made me promise to keep Alexander safe." He struggled to make the baby harness adjust to his small frame.
"So," sniff, "where are we going?"
He looked up to find his five-year old friend packing loose items in to a baby bag. "We\'re going to the city. There's a man Maria told me to find."
"This way.. it's this room," a gruff voice echoed in the hall.
"Quick out the window," the boy whispered. Fortunately the rose trellis that they used to frequently escape his room also ran under his sister's window. So the escape was relatively easy, even with their new accomplice.
The hike to town was harder; two miles of woods. Normally the young boy wouldn't have had any problems covering the distance, but the added weight of his nephew was taxing his small form.
"I could carry him for a while," his friend offered.
"Ha," he snickered at the little blonde. "You're too small. You just carry the bag."
"Well I won't be small forever you know," he huffed. "Someday I'll be a king, and when I am I promise I'll make bad men like your Father pay for hurting their children."
The older boy stopped and looked at the fire in his friend's pale blue eyes. "I know you will," he smiled.
When they reached the city they were careful to avoid the main streets. They slipped through the shadows until they arrived the address the boy had been given. "Well," he gulped and eyed the deteriorating warehouse, "this is the place."
"Are you sure?" the younger boy's voice wavered. The boy pulled himself up tall and straightened his shirt as best he could under the carrier, and then knocked on the door. A strange metallic clicking sound became louder and louder as someone, or something, approached the door. The boys stood firm as the metal door swung out.
"AAHHHHHH!" the blonde cried out as a strange metal claw reached out of the darkness at them.
"What do you want here?" a gruff voice called.
"I'm looking for Dr. Jacobs," the older boy held one hand tightly around his precious cargo and the other around his shaken friend.
"Are you now," the rest of the man emerged. His long black hair and mustache were streaked with gray and the boy got the distinct impression that he was glaring at them from under the strange goggles he was wearing. He mustered all the courage he could to his voice, "Are you Dr. Jacobs?"
"Who wants to know boy? Speak up! I warn you I'm not a patient man."
His shortness struck a nerve in the boy. One of his few memories of his mother was her telling him that manners and grace were most important in this world. "I AM Treize Khushrenada," he said as forcefully as his young voice could. "My sister Maria asked me to bring her son to you if something happened to her."
Surprise washed over the old man's face whether it was from the impetuousness of his tone or the content of his statement Treize couldn't tell. "Hn, you'd best come inside then," the old man held the door open for the boys.
Treize started for the door, but turned to see his friend rooted to the spot. "Come on Milliardo, nothing's gonna happen." The blonde prince eyed him uncertainly, but followed along. "What is this place?" Treize's young eyes widened as he glanced at all the mobile suit parts scattered across the warehouse.
"Lets say it's a lab of sorts. Now what is this about Maria?" the man sat on a low stool that put him at their eye level.
"She was killed by our father," Treize hung his head.
"Bastard! Damn his rotted soul to Hell," the old man's language causing a bright flush on young Milliardo's face. "I'm sorry for your loss kid," he put his good hand on Treize's shoulder.
"I'm just sorry for him," Treize hugged Alexander even tighter.
"Yeah... Your sister and her fiancee worked with me until he died while test piloting an experimental mobile suit. She and I discussed Alexander before she returned home. She wanted me to raise him if she died, so he wouldn't be tainted by your Father's influence."
"Then I guess that's it," Trieze unhooked the carrier and handed the baby over. The small boy opened his eyes and stared at Treize. His deep blue eyes mirrored those of his grandfather. "I hope your eyes never get as sad and hard as Father's," Treize frowned and hugged the baby, who started to cry. "Please take good care of him," he glanced at the old man.
"Don't worry kid, when I'm through with him this boy won't fear anything in the world," he grinned.
The boys left the warehouse and started back to the estate. When they finally reached the woods Milliardo sensed Treize stop. He looked back and saw his friend's legs shaking, his arms wrapped around his chest, and tears flowing down his cheeks. "Oh Treize," the young prince's heart broke for his friend as he ran to hug him. The weight of the day's events finally crashed down on him; Treize fell to the ground and cried.
It was nearly dark as when the boys finally reached the estate, and Halcien Khushrenada was waiting for them. "Where have you been Treize?\" his father bellowed as they came in the door.
"I'm sorry Father. We were playing in the hedge maze and neglected the time."
His Father growled and finally muttered, "Then get to your room. Oh on another matter," he stopped the boys on the stairs, "your sister Maria left today and she will NOT be coming back. You are never to speak or ask about her again. Is that clear?!"
"Yes sir," Treize said calmly. Halcien smirked and returned to his brandy.
"I promise Treize," Milliardo put his small hand on his friends shoulder, "one day he WILL pay."
*****************************
Year: AC 198
*****************************
*Milliardo Peacecraft.... No, tonight I am Zechs Merquise again. An agent of blood and death. And I'm here to fulfill a promise*.
The compound was fairly well guarded, but not against a Gundam pilot who'd been trained by OZ. He made his way through the halls he'd played in as a child; their grandeur now faded into disrepair. The light in the sitting room confirmed the location of his target.
"Halcien Khushrenada," he said harshly.
The older man jumped, startled nearly out of his chair. "What? Who's there? How dare you come into my home."
"Silence," Zechs cut him off as he walked into the light.
"YOU!" recognition filled the older man's face as he made a grab for the gun on the side table.
"I'm honored you remember me," Zechs' words dripped with sarcasm as he slammed the butt of his gun down on the reaching hand. "Do you recognize this man Halcien?" he threw a picture at the elder Khushrenada who was cradling his broken hand.
"No..." he hissed, "should I?"
"You should. You see this is the pilot that destroyed the Alliance, OZ, and Romafeller. All the organizations you spent your life building up." Zechs smiled at the red color that was spreading though Halcien's face. "And tomorrow this young man will become the Prince of the pacifist Sanq Kingdom. You should be VERY proud Halcien. This is your grandson Alexander Khushrenada."
"You lying bastard," the old man started to get up, but Zechs shoved him down roughly.
"You think so Halcien. Well Treize is waiting in the next world to tell you differently, and you shouldn't keep him." He unloaded his gun into the chair. The picture of the young man with Prussian blue eyes and messy brown hair fell to the floor.
The sun shone brightly as Milliardo walked the path to the twin stones. He smirked at the one on the right that bore his name, *Maybe someday you'll find me there*.
He placed a single rose on the left stone... Treize Khushrenada.
"I've kept my promise my friend. Rest in peace."
*********************************
fini