Naz, I am dedicating this to you and Ben.
DISCLAIMER: Aside from Kumi Yuy and Sette Devion, none of the Gundam Wing characters are mine. The song 'Rythym Emotion' also goes to the creators of Gundam Wing.
Gundam Wing: The Second Chapter
Episode 39: United We Stand...Divided We Fall
by SkyLark
helped and supported by Snodin, Traci, Sam, Beekay, Silver Star, GREETER 600, Ruby, Stormy, Akuma, Naz, my 1x2x1 family, and all readers of this fic
Far in the reaches of Space, seven Gundams soared through the stars at great speed. Sette looked to her monitors and informed the others, "I got a fix Nebula. We should be reaching it within an hour. And unless my radars are failing me, it's huge." Quatre nodded in his seat, "I see it, too. I couldn't even being to guess where Heero would be held there." Trowa asked, "Anything with your Space Heart, Quatre?" The Arabian shook his head, "Nothing that's enough to home in exactly where we can find him."
Duo stayed silent the whole trip. Since the discussion that he had with Kumi just hours before this time, he hadn't said anything. His face was blank, yet determined as his focus was on bringing his koi back safely. He remained with this very determination as he sat in his cockpit, clutching his hand bars tightly. He heard Wufei state, "It doesn't matter. We'll find Heero somehow." Delapan replied, "Let's just hope that we can make enough of a dent in their defenses that we can get him out of there without too much trouble."
The braided pilot then caught Kumi's voice as she asked, "Duo, are you alright?" He snapped from his daze with a shake of his head and answered, "Yea. I'm fine." The silver-haired pilot simply nodded to herself, knowing that Duo was more prepared for the fight than any of them. She announced to the others, "Since we are going into this blindfolded, keep your ears open for changes in strategy." The pilots agreed, knowing how little of a 'strategy' they had by not knowing everything about their target.
* * * * * *
Lady Une was in the middle of an emergency meeting that she had called with the Colony Council. All in all, there were twenty people, including Marimaya and Lady Une. This meeting was to discuss the information that the head of the Preventers had learned through spying on OZ. All of the Representatives had grim expressions as Lady Une discussed the weapons that the organization had yet to make known. Still, they listened and discussed how they could handle each situation the best.
Now a brunette again, Lady Une continued, "As far as the ship where Heero Yuy is being held, we have no ways of knowing how much power it holds. All that is known is that it is called Nebula and is one of three main ships of OZ, the laser based off of the Barge Cannon being a second." One young woman asked, "And the third ship?" Lady Une shook her head, "Unfortunately, there is no mention of this in any of the records that were found." A small around of grumbling could be heard among those present.
Another Representative sat up as he inquired, "Now have the Gundam pilots made any plans of attacking this ship?" Une answered, "I spoke with them last night and told them that we needed to wait before attacking. They understood the decision." The man nodded, "Good. We can't have anything happen to them. By your words with them last night, any attack against that ship must be decided by us and ordered to be carried out by you and you alone." Lady Une nodded, "I understand." Just then, the sound of sirens came from the control room.
As Lady Une and the Representatives made their way into the control room as quickly as they could, they found Keiser. He took hold of his commander's wrist gently and led her away from the others, walking her to the font of the room. He spoke quietly as he said gravely, "I just got word from one of our units near the Milky Way that picked something up on their radars...You're not going to believe this..." Looking up to the monitors, they watched as the image of the Gundam suits shot through Space. Une's brown eyes widened as she gasped, "No... Not now."
* * * * * *
(Intro to 'Rythym Emotion')
Duo looked to his monitors as the sight of the enormous and long ship known as Nebula was in plain sight. His eyes widened as he shouted, "THERE IT IS!" The others all looked in shock and awe at the impressive craft, the largest they had ever seen to this time.
kono mune no kodou ha
anata he to tsuduiteru
Kumi's eyes narrowed to the ship and she called to the others, "Alright. Spread out and keep as much of their forces at bay as possible. The moment any of you get close to the ship, let the rest of us know." Excalibur shot off in the lead. Deathscythe was right behind, along with Heavy Arms and Mason. The ship's security was soon made known as the entire length of the craft was soon opening with lasers aimed right for the suits. In addition to this, the largest fleet of soldiers imaginable entered the scene as they shot from every direction of Nebula.
The Gundam pilots met them head-on, without looking back as they shouted and charged. Miles from the ship, the two sides met like two crashing waves as the skies became thick with metal suits as they battling fiercely. Wufei spread shots of flame through the first soldiers that approached him, giving him a chance to battle hand-to-hand with the soldiers behind them. Delapan was now fighting with as much skill and fire as her comrades as she zigged and zagged through the mobile suits, taking them out as she passed.
Sette was the first to have to dodge a shot from the lasers of the ship, when a massive beam just missed Mason. She phased off the initial shock of the precision of the cannons from so far away and took to fighting the soldiers that now surrounded her. Quatre spun Sand Rock with the suit's arms extended to slice through the mobile suits around him. After that assault, he fired the guns at the top of his Gundam for another means of striking is enemies down.
mou kizutsuite mo ii hitomi wo sorasazu ni
atsuku hageshiku ikiteitai
Trowa was using the guns of his suit as much as the blade that was hidden in its right arm. While he wasn't able to see past the cloud of OZ suits, he shot down every attacker that dared to face him. Just then, an OZ soldier managed to avoid the spray of bullets and quickly made his way to the Gundam from behind. Trowa managed to catch this too late as he watched the Taurus prepare to fire with their Beam Cannon with wide eyes. Just before the OZ soldiers could pull the trigger, three arrows came from nowhere to stab the mobile suit's cockpit perfectly. The European pilot gasped, having expected the worst.
Noin shot through and hovered just before him in Rampage as she called, "Are you alright?" The tall pilot smiled though his sweat-coated face as he replied, "Yea. Thank you, Noin." The two suits shot off as they took their own corners of the battle, not having any time to think of anything else.
akiramenai tsuyosa wo kureru anata dakara dakishimetai
In the ship, Quinze Kushrenadah watched the fight from the window of one of the hallways. He sneered and chuckled deeply, "This should prove interesting." Demetris walked to him and saluted, "Request for permission to join the fight, sir." The commander turned to him and nodded, "Permission granted." He ordered in a dark tone, "Hurt Yuy as much as possible." The giant lowered his hand and chuckled deeply, "With pleasure, Your Excellency." He ran off to the hanger without a moment hesitation. Quinze's gaze returned to the fight as he watched in great amusement.
On Pulsar in the control room, Lady Une, Relena, Brian, the Colony Council and the pilots' friends, and the Preventers working there, all watched the battle with shocked and frightened faces. One of the Representatives glared at Lady Une as he shouted, "Is this the way you lead all of your soldiers!?! Those pilots have no respect for you if they disobey your direct order not to attack!" Lady Une turned to glare back as she yelled, "I never gave a direct order! It was simply a suggestion that they should wait until we knew what they we were dealing with!"
Another Senator nodded as she replied sharply, "And as far as you knew, they understood and accepted that! They have proven by this assault that they have no respect for you or the Preventers!" Relena Weatherall couldn't stand it anymore as she ran to Lady Une's side and yelled, "By NO means have the Gundam pilots ever felt or displayed disrespect towards Lady Une or the Preventers! I assure you that there is a reason for their fighting on their own in this way!"
Brian gave the same heated gaze as he shouted, "If they did have a lack of respect, they would have called for others to fight with them, putting other lives at risk instead of their own! Who the hell are any of you to say such things about the very people who are fighting to save your asses!?!" The Representatives were is shock at the young king's words. Still, the head of the Council growled deeply, "We'll discuss this after the fight."
ayamachi mo itami mo
azayakana isshun no hikari he to michibiite
Though they weren't able to gain much ground, the Gundam pilots continued to fight feverishly. Duo plowed through the mobile suits, cutting through them as he shot through the skies quickly. A shrill scream left him as he took out three opponents in one swipe with his scythe. He turned and dodged beams from the cannons all the while. One Space Leo challenged him as their weapons met. Seeing another beam attempting to destroy him from the cannons of Nebula, the braided pilot pushed the mobile suit forward, right into the beam as he shot off in time to escape.
kono mune no kodou ha
anata he to tsuduiteru
Kumi was working her way through the soldiers when they suddenly spread out and away from her. She didn't have a moment to wonder why they suddenly retreated with Capricorn rammed her head-first over her cockpit. The silver-haired pilot grunted in pain as she gripped her controls, fighting the jolt that would have some with the blow. The Gundam released her as they were just feet away from each other now. "I'm going to enjoy this," Demetris growled deeply with a sneer. Kumi simply replied with a deep growl and narrowed eyes. Instantly, they took to their own personal struggle.
sou shi'nayaka ni ima kanji: jidai wo suhada de uketomete
motto "yasashisa" mitsuketai yo
subete ga kirameiteta osanai hi no "kiseki" torimodoshite...
The pilots were just starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel as there was the smallest of breaks in the massive clouds of mobile suits. Quatre was the first to notice as he shouted to his friends, "They're not invincible, everyone! We have a chance if we keep this up!" He went on to kill a handful of soldiers. Sette was following her fiancee as she screamed and hammered her way through the fight.
Delapan wrapped her whip around three suits at one time, spinning them around her suit at a great velocity. She released them as they were hurled into their comrades, taking them out with the explosions of their damaged suits. Noin stabbed her bow straight through the cockpit of a Space Leo before unleashing a rain of arrows upon a handful of soldiers that followed. She spun in just enough time to catch a small army that was close to taking her out from behind. Grunting loudly, she got her suit to punch, shoot and destroy her enemies by any means necessary
otagai no setsunasa
kanjiai wakeaeru nukumori wo shinjiteru
Trowa went on to soar through the battle, shooting and stabbing the entire time as he was met with OZ soldiers. It wasn't until he worked through a haze of suits that he caught sight of Capricorn battling Excalibur. His eyes widened at the sight just before they narrowed as he prepared to join the fight.
Just as he was about to take off, Mason shot in front on him, arms stretched out at the sides to block his path. Sette leaned forward and shouted with concern for the tall pilot in her eyes, "If Demetris sees you again, he won't let you live like the last time Trowa! Kumi's a big girl! Let her handle this!" Trowa replied, "Sette!?!" He lowered his head and growled deeply. Reluctantly, he nodded, "Alright." The ex-princess led him away from the scene and back to where they would be the most helpful.
Together, they aided Delapan, Wufei, Quatre, Noin and Duo in widening the hole that the Arabian managed to find. While there were still overwhelming numbers for them to fight still, they knew that had a chance to reach the ship if they continued to push through in this fashion. Delapan was both attacking and informing the others when they needed to avoid a blast from the ship.
kono kisu de tashikana
jou'netsu wo tsutaetai
Demetirs lifted his sword over his suit's head and hurled it down upon the black Gundam below. Kumi managed to block the huge weapon with he own, much thinner, sword as they pressed forward with all their strength. They grunted and shouted as they released their hold to use other tactics. Every time their swords met, there was enough light from the sparks to light everything around them for a moment. Capricorn nailed a punch right over the cockpit of his greatest rival. The silver-haired pilot ignored the pain and fought back with all she had.
Wufei was stabbing through mobile suits continuously as he soared and tried to aid his friends in opening a large gap in the OZ's forces. Releasing another wave of fire, he managed to help the cause immensely. Panting, he looked to his monitors and watched with a shocked glance as another huge army, as big as the first one sent, was coming from the ship. He shouted to the others, "We won't be able to break through at this point. There's another fleet being sent!"
Duo shouted, "WHAT!?!" as he turned quickly to witness the appearance of the recruits. Delapan slammed her controls as she hissed, "DAMN IT! We were so close!" Noin stated in anguish, "With their ability to clone people, we won't be able to get the upper-hand." Sette shook her head and sighed deeply, "We knew there was a chance we wouldn't make it through." Quatre said quietly, "We had to try something." Trowa replied gravely, "We have to turn back while we still can."
Together, they shot off in retreat from the fight, knowing that they couldn't win this battle. They managed to get a few feet away without being followed. All the while, Duo was looking to the opening that was quickly shrinking. A deep growl left him and pushed forward on his controls, going head-first into the fray. The others had no means of knowing that their friend was going to shoot forward. Quatre turned as he witnessed his charge too late. His eyes widened as he shouted after him, "DUO!" The others turned and watched in terror. Deathscythe was soon beyond any of their sight.
Stabbing through anyone foolish enough to try and stop him, Duo flew straight for the OZ craft, shrieking as he took out his foes. At the same time, he was just barely missing the shots from the guns of the enormous craft. Seeing that his straightaway was narrowing even more now that the band of reinforcements arrived, he shouted to the mobile suits, "JUST GET OUT OF MY WAY!!!" He continued to fly in a straight path until he was about a mile from the target.
Just then, the beam from one of the countless cannons on the ship hit their mark, blasting the suit perfectly it its right side. Duo shouted in agony as his cockpit was sparking all around on account of the damage. Deathscythe was lost as the mobile suits surrounded it from every angle, swallowing whole within them. A small, groan left the braided pilot as he slumped forward, unconscious. His comrades watched in terror as they screamed.
[Music Bridge]
Kumi's eyes widened as she was still in mid-fight the moment she heard her comrades scream, Duo's name being one of the things shouted. Looking to her monitors, she just managed to watch as Deathscythe was being taken in by the OZ soldiers. Her eyes closed slowly as she whispered, "Thank you, Duo."
In the Capricorn, Quinze's image appeared on the monitors as he informed his best soldier, "Demetris, you are to return to the ship immediately." The giant shouted in rage, "But, Sir! We have them right where we want them! Let me help finish them off!" The OZ leader glared to him and ordered, "You are to return and help make our new guest welcome. I don't want those pilots destroyed until they know what it feel like to lose everything they hold dear." A deep and loud growl left the huge pilot as he lowered his head, "Yes, Your Excellency."
Demetris concluded his fight with his greatest opponent as he pulled back. He shouted, "This is the last time we'll meet and part this way again! Next time, only one of us will leave the fight alive!" Kumi was still panting as she glared to the other suit and replied deeply, "Agreed." Capricorn shot back off to the ship, his ground covered instantly by countless mobile suits to prevent anyone from following.
kono mune no kodou ha
anata he to tsuduiteru
Wufei was continuing to fight the incredible OZ fleet to save his friend as he shouted, "WE HAVE TO BREAK THROUGH SOMEHOW!" Just then, his suit was tackled from the side, forcing him back and away from the mobile suits. "WHAT THE-!?!" The Chinese pilot and his friends all looked in shock. It was Excalibur that pushed him back. Kumi looked to all of them, hovering a few feet before their Gundams. "Leave him," she ordered without any wavering in her voice. Paralyzed in shock, the Gundam pilots looked to their silver-haired comrade as they couldn't believe that they heard her correctly.
otagai no setsunasa
kanjiai wakeaeru nukumori wo shinjiteru
Sette whispered, "K-Kumi, you're not serious." In response, Excalibur's Buster riffle was lifted and pointed in the direction of the Gundams before her. The pilots couldn't believe that this was happened as they fell back in their seats, not sure whether or not they should call this as a bluff. Their uncertainty was put to rest as the 'Perfect Soldier' stated in monotone, "I'll shoot any and every one of you that tries to save him." The finger of her suit began to pull back on the gun's trigger to prove that she was not just making a threat.
kono kisu de tashikana
jou'netsu wo tsutaetai
Unable to breathe, the pilots pulled back a few inches. "Get back to Pulsar," the silver-haired pilot deadpanned. Wufei shouted in rage as slammed his controls, leading the way back to their own ship. Heavy Arms was the last suit to leave, Trowa never taking his gaze from his lover's suit. The stoic pilot kept her stand, not moving an inch even for him. He lowered his head as his eyes closed with a sad expression. The tall pilot turned his suit around and followed the others.
Kumi lowered her suit's gun to its side, watching the departure of her lover's Gundam for a moment. The ship that they had come to attack was no longer in sight. The 'Perfect Soldier's' hair was a mess as it was falling in strands from its ponytail after the difficult struggle. She closed her eyes and whispered in her soldier voice, "Let's just hope this was the right decision." At this, she turned and shot off in the direction that the others had taken.
(Song's End)
* * * * * *
The Gundam pilots returned to Pulsar an hour later. Excalibur was the last to enter the hanger, giving the others time to leave their suits and reach the hanger floor. Zes, Brian and all of their friends were with them as they spoke of the fight and how things went awry. All conversation ended when the dark, winged Gundam entered and landed alongside the other suits. The pilots watched with mixed expressions as the silver-haired pilot within lowered herself to the ground before them. With her expressionless mask in place, Kumi looked to all of them as she remained at the spot where she touched the ground.
Wufei stalked to her quietly and slowly, fists clenched and a piercing glare for the Japanese pilot. Kumi never returned the glare as she just continued to watch without any expression, still and straight as the unwavering soldier that she was. The Chinese pilot was less than a foot from her as he never broke his gaze with the cobalt eyes when he stopped. There was a pause. Without any warning, Wufei slammed his right fist across Kumi's right cheek, sending her head reeling. The other pilots let out a collective gasp as they watched in shock.
As Kumi turned her head back to face Wufei again, the Chinese pilot shouted, "WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED BACK THERE!?! THANKS TO YOU, WE'RE DOWN THREE PILOTS NOW!" The silver-haired pilot remained expressionless, with the fresh red bruise quickly making its presence known on her right cheek. The pilots watching were soon beginning to share their own looks of anger and uncertainty towards her. Kumi glare returned and she stated in monotone, "I did what I set out to do."
The dark eyes of the pilot before her widened a moment before they narrowed as he growled in a low whisper, "You. Did. What?" Kumi was about to walk past him and replied in her soldier tone, "Duo carried out his part of the job to protect Heero." Wufei's hand snapped up and grabbed the silver-haired pilot's wrist. He squeezed it tightly as he hissed, "You just killed BOTH of them!" Kumi screamed as she turned back to face her comrade, "IF DUO WASN'T CAPTURED, HEEO WOULD HAVE DIED!" Wufei's eyes widened once again as well as the eyes of their friends.
Kumi released her wrist with a sharp tug as she turned to all of them, "Heero's the closest to death he's ever been. We had no chance of winning that fight and freeing him, so bringing Duo to him was the only other option to saving him. I have no remorse for leaving Duo to be captured, nor will I ever. I had to do what was best for Heero. I don't have time to worry about your pinions or judgments. Think of me what you will. I could care less." At these last words, she left the room.
Trowa glared to Wufei as he shouted, "You really can be a prick, you know that!?!" Stunned, the Chinese pilot along with everyone present looked to him in shock. "Don't any of you think that it was a hard call for her to make by leaving Duo to be taken!?!" He didn't bother to look back at any of them as he stepped from the hanger.
Sette finally closed her slack jaw and whispered, "My God...He really does love her." Relena sighed deeply and lowered her head, "She was only doing what she thought was best for both Heero and Duo all along. If Heero died, Duo wouldn't have been far behind." Quatre looked sadly to the door as he whispered in a pained voice, "I still remember how empty Heero felt when we contacted him the night after V10 was destroyed. I'm amazed that he was able to hold on this long with that emptiness eating at him for so long."
Wufei huffed as he crossed his arms, "I still think that she went about this the wrong way. Quinze will never let Heero and Duo live now that he has both of them. It'll be her responsibility if anything happens to them." Sette's eyes narrowed as she asked in a deep growl, "What the hell did you just say?" The Chinese pilot turned to her and with no remorse in his voice or expression, he replied in a stern voice, "I said that if Heero and Duo get hurt or killed, it's Kumi's blame and none other." Delapan's eyes widened as she retorted, "You know that you can't feel like that, Wufei."
The young pilot shrugged and huffed, "I'd like to know why not. This was her plan all along." Sette shook her head, "I don't believe you. You have no idea what she's going through, any more than the rest of us." Her voice became louder as she continued and stalked to the Chinese pilot. "You're lucky she didn't kick your ass! You're not as tough as you act! YOU KNOW WHAT!?! GET THE HELL OUT OF MY FACE!" As she screamed this and other profanities, she unleashed a brutal attack of punches and kicks at the other pilot.
Quatre and Brian grabbed the tomboy as she continued to beat Wufei, who was beginning to fight back without hesitation. He was held back by Delapan, Sally and Noin as everyone shouted over them. Finally, Milliardo screamed over all of them, "STOP! NOW!" There was silence and stillness the instant the tall man screamed.
Wind huffed in anger and growled deeply, "None of this is going to help the situation." He sighed deeply, putting his own frustration at bay. He stated a bit more calmly, "We're all worried about Heero and Duo. Right now, all we can do is try to keep from falling apart all together." One by one, everyone present agreed. Wufei and Sette looked away from each other, knowing better than to bring up the bad feelings between them. Sally suggested, "It'll be best if you get away from this hanger and try to relax. Why don't we just head to one of the lounges and try to have a peaceful conversation, one that doesn't involve this war in any way." Without any hesitance, everyone made it clear that the suggestion was more than welcomed.
Milliardo was more at ease as he nodded, "Good. Lady Une will join us as soon as she's finished speaking with the Colony Council." Hearing the mention of that Council, Quatre asked quietly with wide eyes, "They here, on Pulsar?" Wind nodded and replied, "Yes. They weren't too pleased with the fight, since they feel as though it should have been Lady Une's call to attack Nebula."
Delapan cringed inwardly and shook her head, "I-if we waited... there would be no telling if we would have reached Heero in time." Sally nodded and replied, "We all know that, but the Council will be difficult to convince. Lady Une is doing her best to see that they understand." She said sternly, "Let's just try and not think about any of this stuff right now." Everyone nodded and filed out of the hanger in silence.
Trowa was running through the halls, trying to find his lover when he came across Sera Makato. The tall pilot stopped as he panted, "Sera...Have you seen Kumi?" The Preventer nodded with a frown, "The end of the hall...In the observatory." Trowa nodded with a frown of his own as he said quietly, "Thank you." As he ran off, he was stopped as he heard Sera call, "Trowa?"
The pilot of Heavy Arms turned back and nodded. Makato said quietly, "Be gentle with her. Kumi's just as frightened for Heero as the rest of us." The tall pilot didn't know how to respond, then finally smiled as he assured her, "I'll be gentle with her." Sera gave a small, smile as she responded, "I know you will. You understand her more than anyone else here...Thank you for that." Trowa replied, "Anytime." He ran back sown the hall to the observatory.
@ @ @ @ @ @
Duo and Kumi were standing in the pouring rain a good ways off from the cabin they were staying at with their friends. The silver-haired pilot stated in monotone, "We need to talk." Duo's face continued to show his deep concern and he huffed, "That's an understatement." In a small voice, he asked, "You saw Heero?"
The stoic pilot gave a nod and replied as she lowered her head, "Since we're connected as the Heart and Soul of Outer Space, we can pick things up on each other. But that only happens when we happen to be thinking of each other at the same time, or..." She paused before being able to continue. Looking into Duo's pained cobalt eyes, she hesitated before continuing quietly, "Or in this case...when one of us is close to death." A sharp gasp left the braided pilot as his hands instantly wrapped around his body, doubling over, as if he had been nailed in the gut with a steel fist. He took a few steps back as his head lowered.
Kumi walked to him and heard a few strained breaths coming from the American as he tried to get his composure. Her eyes grew sad and she wasn't sure what support she could offer. "God, I was so afraid that this would happen," Duo barely managed to whisperer. He lifted his head to look back to his lover's cousin. With his tears melding with the rain that soaked his face, he asked in a broken whisper, "How long does he have?" Kuni answered, "Not long... A day... Two at the most." Duo's hands covered his face as he took a deep breath. As he lowered his hands, he began to have a spark of determination in his demeanor.
Duo shook his head and stated clearly with a stern expression, "I'll hit Nebula myself, if I have to. I'm not going to let Heero die." Kumi assured him, "We attack in a couple hours, so that we can prepare ourselves... I agree that we can't wait for Lady Une's word any longer, but I have to tell you honestly that I don't see us winning this fight." Duo looked a bit stunned, but remained silent to allow his comrade to continue.
The 'Perfect Soldier' explained, "This is going to be a blind fight against one of the three strongholds of the OZ organization. We have no way of knowing what is going to be thrown at us when we hit... With those chances, it's not realistic that the outcome will be in our favor." The braided pilot shook his head and insisted, "There has to be something that we can do, Kumi. I can't just sit back and say that there isn't any way we can save Heero."
Suddenly, there was hesitance in the silver-haired pilot again as she looked to Duo with a questioning look for a long pause. Finally, her uncertainty faded as her eyes widened in realization as she nodded, "There is something that we can do... If we don't have any way of winning, and you were to be captured..." Duo's own eyes widened and he smiled, "I see what you're getting at. I'll do whatever it takes to help him, so this isn't anything that I'm afraid of. I just need you to promise me that you'll get the others out of the fight once I'm taken to keep them safe."
Kumi frowned and shook her head, looking away as she sighed deeply, "Duo, you know that as a soldier, I can't give my word on such things." The braided pilot took her hand and made sure their eyes locked. "I don't want your word as a soldier," he told her, "I want your word as a friend." The stoic pilot blinked as she took this in. She took a moment before answering.
The japanese pilot lowered her head before locking eyes again and nodding once, "Hai...You have my word as a friend that the others will not be harmed." Her eyes narrowed as she insisted, "Just don't expect this from me again." Duo smiled softly through the rain and said quietly, "Arigato, Kumi." She gave one lat nod and asked, "And you're fine with what should happen to you?" The braided pilot stood straight and saluted with his wide smile, "All that matters to me is that Heero is alright. I'll do whatever it takes to see that he is." It was decided and agreed and the two pilots walked back to the safe house to wake their comrades.
@ @ @ @ @ @
Kumi sat in the observatory, recalling this last encounter that she had with the braided pilot. The room was dark as she didn't bother to turn on the lights. The blueprints that she had been working on for years were spread on the long, silver table before her as she sat on another table like it. Her right leg was hanging over the edge of her seat and her left was hugged against her chest as she looked to the papers that she had spent almost her entire life trying to perfect, to no avail. The pilot looked lost as she gazed to them, so many things running through her mind that she didn't know what end was up.
The Japanese pilot's fists clenched tightly as she hissed in a breath through clenched teeth. Kumi sprang from the table that she was sitting on. Instantly, she screamed as he lifted the table where her blueprints rested, flipping it over. Taking several glass test tubes, beakers, and other bottles that were in the room, she knocked them from their resting places and threw other across the room, smashing them against the opposing walls.
It wasn't until she had destroyed nearly everything in the observatory that Kumi stopped, panting and sobbing as she collapsed to glass-covered the floor. She sobbed loudly, covering her face as she cried hysterically for the first time since Matt's death. Only a minute passed like this before a pair of strong, arms wrapped around her. She was gently pulled to sit up and was pulled into a strong chest, a hand at the back of her head to hold it in the warm confines below a slender neck. The silver-haired pilot's loose hair was stroked and she heard a sweet voice whispered, "Shhhh. It's alright... I've got you."
The Japanese pilot wrapped her arms tightly around her lower, lifting her head from his chest as she fought to control the sobs. Resting her right cheek over Trowa's heart as they sat there, she sighed deeply and managed to calm herself again. The tall pilot kissed her temple, letting the kiss linger a moment before pulling away to whisper, "You did the right thing. We'll get Heero and Duo back safely and everything will be fine." Kumi dried her eyes and pulled her head away to look in his eyes as she huffed, "You sound so sure about that."
Trowa smiled warmly to her and replied gently, "I know that you never would have allowed Duo's capture if you didn't think that we would get the both of them back safely." Kumi rose to her feet and shook her head, "It won't be that easy." Trowa rose to his feet as he said quietly, "But you know that we have a chance." The silver-haired pilot turned back to him and replied with a single nod as she whispered, "Hai." Trowa lifted her head up with a gentle finger placed under her chin until their eyes met.
The tall pilot smiled lovingly and caressed her cheek as he whispered, "You are amazing, Kumi. No matter what, you never give up on anything." The European pilot gently kissed her lips and forehead before pulling her into a gently embrace. "Just trust in Duo to save Heero... The same way that I trust in you... forever and always." The silver-haired pilot whispered breathlessly, "Trowa." She looked up to him and they leaned in to kiss.
Just before their lips could caress each other, the bright lights of the observatory were switched on. The lovers turned to the door in shock. A handful of Preventers along with several Representatives of the Colony Council were standing there, glaring to them. The first Preventer walked to them with a pair of thick cuffs.
Without saying anything, the soldier walked to Kumi and slapped them on the pilot's forearms. Trowa's shouted in rage to him and the men and woman at the door, "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS!?!" The handcuffs went from her wrist to the beginning of her elbow and the soldier stated, "Kumi Yuy, you are under arrest for treason against the Preventers and Colonies alike by calling upon the attack of an OZ ship without permission from a superior officer." The 'Perfect Soldier' remained expressionless as she replied, "Hn."
Trowa, however, was enraged as he shouted to the Council members, "YOU CAN'T DO THIS! KUMI DID THE ONLY THING SHE COULD TO SAVE HEERO!" One of the Representatives smirked as she stated, "That'll be up to the Judge to decide. The trial begins in a few days. We won't treat her differently than any another soldier, whether she is a Gundam pilot or not." Trowa was about to shout something back when his lover said gently to him, "It's alright, Trowa." He turned back to face her with a look of shock as he shouted with a shocked face, "WHAT!?!"
Kumi turned to the Council and requested, "May I have a moment to speak with him?" The request was granted as the Preventer holding her right arm released it once the Representatives nodded. Trowa and Kumi walked to a far corner. The tall pilot looked with pained eyes to his partner as he caressed her cheek and whispered sadly, "How can you let them do this to you, Kumi?" She said simply, "We can't allow the risk of a war within a war. We have to play by their rules if we hope to have any sense of balance in this war. It's bad enough the Earth is standing alone. If we were to upset the Colony Representatives, we'd be at a loss without their support." Trowa understood, but he still couldn't stand the thought of his lover being imprisoned for doing the only right thing that she could.
Hesitantly, Trowa finally sighed deeply and nodded, "Alright." He rested his forehead against Kumi's and assured her, "We'll do whatever we can to see that you're released when the trial comes." The silver-haired pilot gave a small smile just for him as she said gently, "I believe in you." Looking to the blueprints spread all over the floor, Kumi asked her partner, "Will you take care of those? You'll have to finished them for me now." Trowa looked to her with wide eyes, then smiled gently and whispered, "I'll take care of them." They kissed gently, then deeply. Before long, the 'Perfect Solider' was taken away as the Preventer grabbed her right arm and led her away. Kumi looked over her shoulder to have one last look at he lover before she was taken out of the room. Trowa watched quietly with a heavy heart. "I love you," he whispered to the empty door.
Lady Une had informed the other pilot what happened at the meeting that had just taken place as they ran down the hall together. They watched with disbelief as the silver-haired pilot was led past all of them, handcuffed and guarded by armed soldiers behind and before her. There were many spectators from the ship that parted to either side of the hall with mixed expressions as they shouted different things. Some praised the Gundam pilot while others cursed her insubordination that could have risked lives. The pilot, herself, remained expressionless and head high as she walked on.
Sette sighed deeply and lowered her head as she whispered, "God, not this." Lady Une shook her head, "Everyone is looking for someone to chastise other than OZ. They're so afraid that we'll lost that they're pointing their fingers at the very people trying to save them." Wufei looked away from the sight of the prisoner as he growled deeply, "I am mad as hell at her, but this is the last thing she deserves." Quatre asked timidly, "What are we going to do now... Without her, we're down four pilots." Delapan turned to her comrade and answered gravely, "We pray for a miracle."
* * * * * *
On Nebula, Duo was thrown into one of the ship's dark cells, landing on his right side. The door slammed behind him as he got to his knees, struggling after the pain in his body from the recent battle. The braided pilot groaned deeply as he fell back to lean his back against the wall closest to him. "I didn't miss being thrown in places like this," he sighed deeply as he looked to is surroundings. His eyes adjusted before too long. As he scanned the room, his eyes locked onto something that Made his heart stop as a sharp gasp left him.
There was someone in the cell with him. That prisoner lied on their right side, their back to the American. Their muscular, broken form lied lifelessly in the corner furthest from Duo. Their blue shirt and light blue jeans were torn all over as the bruises and scars left from his beatings were clearly visible. Their unruly, dark hair was wet with sweat as it matted together in clumps here and there. And on the right shoulder lied a tattoo that left no question to the identity of the fallen prisoner.
Instantly, tears filled Duo's eyes until they threatened to spill on their own as he whispered brokenly, "Heero." Slowly and quietly, he crawled over to his lover, fighting the sobs that were shaking him already. Once he was beside the Wing pilot, he ever so gently rolled him onto his back and cradled him from the waist up.
The tears were now unable to be stopped as they slipped from their cobalt confines, soaking the braided pilot's face. He caressed Heero's cheek and began sobbing quietly. It had been months since the lovers were together. Heero was as beautiful as ever, to Duo, even with all of the bruised and cuts on him. With the softest of touches, he ran his hand through his koi's hair. After a few strokes, he went back to caress his partner's cheek again. This time, there was a soft, deep sigh that left the Wing pilot with a tiny moan. Duo gasped as Heero subconsciously leaned into his touch. The Japanese pilot whispered softly, painfully, "Duo... So warm..."
Unable to breathe, the American looked to his love with wide eyes. He wiped some of his face dry by rubbing his cheeks against his shoulders. He whispered as he leaned close to his lover, "Heero?" The pilot in his arms gave a small whimper, still unable to break through his deep slumber, "I miss you so much, koibito... Please take me with you." Duo felt his heart tear at the seams as a small sob left him as he whispered breathlessly, "Oh, Heero..." He placed a long, soft kiss on the 'Perfect Soldier's' forehead. "I'm right, here, my love." That was enough to break the cold grip that sleep held on the Wing pilot.
Heero's eyes fought to open and soon, they began to blink a few times. When they regained focus, they widened as he realized someone was holding him. Looking up, he saw the face of his lover and best friend. A loud, sharp gasp left him as he fought himself out of the embrace, crawling back into the corner quickly. Once there, he hugged his legs tightly against his chest, burying his head in them as he sobbed. Duo remained where he was, watching his partner with a lonely face. He could only imaging what his poor koi was going through after months of thinking that he was dead.
"No more of these dreams... I can't take them anymore..." Heero pleaded in a whisper broken with sobs. He lifted his head to cover it with his hands as he continued the same, "Duo was taken from me once... I can't keep losing him every night." Duo wiped his face dry, again, even as more tears fell uncontrollably. "Heero," he whispered. He lowered his head and asked himself, "How can I make you believe-" Just then, his eyes widened as the answer came to him. He looked back to his distraught love and took a deep breath.
Managing to regain control of his voice again, Duo sang quietly as he focused on the Wing pilot, "The strand in your eyes that color them wonderful stop me and steal me breath..." The sobs coming from Heero suddenly began to slow. Duo continued, watching the Wing pilot closely, "Emeralds from mountains thrust towards the say, never revealing their depth..."
Heero lifted his tear-streaked, pale and shocked face from its protection behind his hands as he looked to the braided pilot. Duo sang on, "So tell me hat we belong together...Dress it up with the trappings of love..." Heero began to slowly crawl to Duo as he never took his hopeful gaze from him. Duo was beginning to become emotional again and his voice was becoming broken in a whisper again, being so close to his love was more than he could handle. Still, he sang with what he had, "I'll be captivated...I'll hang from your lips...Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above..."
Now, Heero was sitting right beside Duo, their tear-filled eyes locked on one another. They sang together in harmony with their small voices on cue, "And I'll be...you're crying shoulder...I'll be love suicide...I'll be better when I'm older...I'll be...the greatest fan of your life." There was nothing but silence between the pilots as they looked to one another with hope and awe in their faces and eyes.
Slowly, Heero lifted a trembling hand to dry his love's face of the tears that left this eyes. The Wing pilot's breath was slowly becoming rapid, but quiet as he ran his hand slowly over his lover's features, beginning with his forehead and carefully working his way down, with the gentle touch of his fingertips. When Heero's hand reached Duo's lips, the braided pilot kissed it tenderly as he closed his eyes, a soft sigh leaving him. Heero's bottom lip began to quiver and he bit it as a small whimper left him.
"DUO!" he cried as he threw his arms around his lover, planting kissed all over his face that were returned with just as much enthusiasm. "Heero," Duo whispered breathlessly. "Oh, God, I've missed you so much, koibito," Duo whimpered as they continued to hold each other tightly, leaving butterfly kissed on their love's face. Heero buried his face in Duo's chest and sobbed. He whispered breathlessly, "My beautiful Duo." He looked up and smiled lovingly through his tears to his best friend. Moved beyond words, Duo wiped Heero's tears as he returned the loving smile. After so long, they leaned in slowly to kiss each other's lips again.
The kiss went from tender to deep as the grip that they held on one another became as tight as it could get. Sighing and moaning in their lover's mouth, they drew the searing kiss out for as long as they could before their need for air separated them. Panting, they never took their eyes or arms from each other.
Heero whispered breathlessly as he caressed Duo's cheek, "I love you so much, Duo." Duo bit his lip and nodded as he whispered back, "I love you, too, Heero... More than you'll ever know." They kissed deeply again, reveling in the taste in feel of their lover again.
Exhausted beyond words could be described, Heero began to sag in the braided pilot's arms. Duo chuckled deeply and sighed in content, "Awwww. My koi's tired." Heero chuckled deeply and nuzzled his right cheek over the part of Duo's chest where he could hear his heartbeat. His eyes drifted closed as a small sigh of content left him now. Slowly, Duo lowered them onto the ground.
Their arms never lost the right hold they had. Just as the American was about to close is own eyes, Heero leaned up and kissed him deeply again. Duo returned the kiss with just as much need and passion, running his fingers in the Wing pilot's hair.
When the kiss finally broke, Heero hovered over Duo and whispered with a sweet smile, "Thank you... For keeping your promise to stay alive." Feeling the urge to cry again, the braided pilot nodded and whispered back, "Thank you for not leaving me." "Ai shiteru." "I love you." "Forever." "Always." One last gentle kiss and the pilots were willing to allow sleep to take over. Heero rested his head over Duo's heartbeat and sighed deeply, the smile never leaving. Duo kissed his forehead and rested his head, closing his eyes with his own smile in place.
It was the first time since the last time they were together that Heero and Duo slept soundly. No nightmares, no cold sweats, and even in the confines of the prison cell of their worst enemy, they no longer had any doubts about tomorrow and its empty promises. And Heero slept to the steady of rythym of his love's heartbeat. Even in his sleep, through the most pleasant of dreams, he could hear it. And now it was giving him the strength and courage that he had lost when he thought his reason for living was taken from him... When morning came, the pilot once known as the 'Perfect Soldier' would awaken again.
TBC
DISCLAIMER: Aside from Kumi Yuy and Sette Devion, none of the Gundam Wing characters are mine. The song 'Rythym Emotion' also goes to the creators of Gundam Wing.
Gundam Wing: The Second Chapter
Episode 39: United We Stand...Divided We Fall
by SkyLark
helped and supported by Snodin, Traci, Sam, Beekay, Silver Star, GREETER 600, Ruby, Stormy, Akuma, Naz, my 1x2x1 family, and all readers of this fic
Far in the reaches of Space, seven Gundams soared through the stars at great speed. Sette looked to her monitors and informed the others, "I got a fix Nebula. We should be reaching it within an hour. And unless my radars are failing me, it's huge." Quatre nodded in his seat, "I see it, too. I couldn't even being to guess where Heero would be held there." Trowa asked, "Anything with your Space Heart, Quatre?" The Arabian shook his head, "Nothing that's enough to home in exactly where we can find him."
Duo stayed silent the whole trip. Since the discussion that he had with Kumi just hours before this time, he hadn't said anything. His face was blank, yet determined as his focus was on bringing his koi back safely. He remained with this very determination as he sat in his cockpit, clutching his hand bars tightly. He heard Wufei state, "It doesn't matter. We'll find Heero somehow." Delapan replied, "Let's just hope that we can make enough of a dent in their defenses that we can get him out of there without too much trouble."
The braided pilot then caught Kumi's voice as she asked, "Duo, are you alright?" He snapped from his daze with a shake of his head and answered, "Yea. I'm fine." The silver-haired pilot simply nodded to herself, knowing that Duo was more prepared for the fight than any of them. She announced to the others, "Since we are going into this blindfolded, keep your ears open for changes in strategy." The pilots agreed, knowing how little of a 'strategy' they had by not knowing everything about their target.
* * * * * *
Lady Une was in the middle of an emergency meeting that she had called with the Colony Council. All in all, there were twenty people, including Marimaya and Lady Une. This meeting was to discuss the information that the head of the Preventers had learned through spying on OZ. All of the Representatives had grim expressions as Lady Une discussed the weapons that the organization had yet to make known. Still, they listened and discussed how they could handle each situation the best.
Now a brunette again, Lady Une continued, "As far as the ship where Heero Yuy is being held, we have no ways of knowing how much power it holds. All that is known is that it is called Nebula and is one of three main ships of OZ, the laser based off of the Barge Cannon being a second." One young woman asked, "And the third ship?" Lady Une shook her head, "Unfortunately, there is no mention of this in any of the records that were found." A small around of grumbling could be heard among those present.
Another Representative sat up as he inquired, "Now have the Gundam pilots made any plans of attacking this ship?" Une answered, "I spoke with them last night and told them that we needed to wait before attacking. They understood the decision." The man nodded, "Good. We can't have anything happen to them. By your words with them last night, any attack against that ship must be decided by us and ordered to be carried out by you and you alone." Lady Une nodded, "I understand." Just then, the sound of sirens came from the control room.
As Lady Une and the Representatives made their way into the control room as quickly as they could, they found Keiser. He took hold of his commander's wrist gently and led her away from the others, walking her to the font of the room. He spoke quietly as he said gravely, "I just got word from one of our units near the Milky Way that picked something up on their radars...You're not going to believe this..." Looking up to the monitors, they watched as the image of the Gundam suits shot through Space. Une's brown eyes widened as she gasped, "No... Not now."
* * * * * *
(Intro to 'Rythym Emotion')
Duo looked to his monitors as the sight of the enormous and long ship known as Nebula was in plain sight. His eyes widened as he shouted, "THERE IT IS!" The others all looked in shock and awe at the impressive craft, the largest they had ever seen to this time.
kono mune no kodou ha
anata he to tsuduiteru
Kumi's eyes narrowed to the ship and she called to the others, "Alright. Spread out and keep as much of their forces at bay as possible. The moment any of you get close to the ship, let the rest of us know." Excalibur shot off in the lead. Deathscythe was right behind, along with Heavy Arms and Mason. The ship's security was soon made known as the entire length of the craft was soon opening with lasers aimed right for the suits. In addition to this, the largest fleet of soldiers imaginable entered the scene as they shot from every direction of Nebula.
The Gundam pilots met them head-on, without looking back as they shouted and charged. Miles from the ship, the two sides met like two crashing waves as the skies became thick with metal suits as they battling fiercely. Wufei spread shots of flame through the first soldiers that approached him, giving him a chance to battle hand-to-hand with the soldiers behind them. Delapan was now fighting with as much skill and fire as her comrades as she zigged and zagged through the mobile suits, taking them out as she passed.
Sette was the first to have to dodge a shot from the lasers of the ship, when a massive beam just missed Mason. She phased off the initial shock of the precision of the cannons from so far away and took to fighting the soldiers that now surrounded her. Quatre spun Sand Rock with the suit's arms extended to slice through the mobile suits around him. After that assault, he fired the guns at the top of his Gundam for another means of striking is enemies down.
mou kizutsuite mo ii hitomi wo sorasazu ni
atsuku hageshiku ikiteitai
Trowa was using the guns of his suit as much as the blade that was hidden in its right arm. While he wasn't able to see past the cloud of OZ suits, he shot down every attacker that dared to face him. Just then, an OZ soldier managed to avoid the spray of bullets and quickly made his way to the Gundam from behind. Trowa managed to catch this too late as he watched the Taurus prepare to fire with their Beam Cannon with wide eyes. Just before the OZ soldiers could pull the trigger, three arrows came from nowhere to stab the mobile suit's cockpit perfectly. The European pilot gasped, having expected the worst.
Noin shot through and hovered just before him in Rampage as she called, "Are you alright?" The tall pilot smiled though his sweat-coated face as he replied, "Yea. Thank you, Noin." The two suits shot off as they took their own corners of the battle, not having any time to think of anything else.
akiramenai tsuyosa wo kureru anata dakara dakishimetai
In the ship, Quinze Kushrenadah watched the fight from the window of one of the hallways. He sneered and chuckled deeply, "This should prove interesting." Demetris walked to him and saluted, "Request for permission to join the fight, sir." The commander turned to him and nodded, "Permission granted." He ordered in a dark tone, "Hurt Yuy as much as possible." The giant lowered his hand and chuckled deeply, "With pleasure, Your Excellency." He ran off to the hanger without a moment hesitation. Quinze's gaze returned to the fight as he watched in great amusement.
On Pulsar in the control room, Lady Une, Relena, Brian, the Colony Council and the pilots' friends, and the Preventers working there, all watched the battle with shocked and frightened faces. One of the Representatives glared at Lady Une as he shouted, "Is this the way you lead all of your soldiers!?! Those pilots have no respect for you if they disobey your direct order not to attack!" Lady Une turned to glare back as she yelled, "I never gave a direct order! It was simply a suggestion that they should wait until we knew what they we were dealing with!"
Another Senator nodded as she replied sharply, "And as far as you knew, they understood and accepted that! They have proven by this assault that they have no respect for you or the Preventers!" Relena Weatherall couldn't stand it anymore as she ran to Lady Une's side and yelled, "By NO means have the Gundam pilots ever felt or displayed disrespect towards Lady Une or the Preventers! I assure you that there is a reason for their fighting on their own in this way!"
Brian gave the same heated gaze as he shouted, "If they did have a lack of respect, they would have called for others to fight with them, putting other lives at risk instead of their own! Who the hell are any of you to say such things about the very people who are fighting to save your asses!?!" The Representatives were is shock at the young king's words. Still, the head of the Council growled deeply, "We'll discuss this after the fight."
ayamachi mo itami mo
azayakana isshun no hikari he to michibiite
Though they weren't able to gain much ground, the Gundam pilots continued to fight feverishly. Duo plowed through the mobile suits, cutting through them as he shot through the skies quickly. A shrill scream left him as he took out three opponents in one swipe with his scythe. He turned and dodged beams from the cannons all the while. One Space Leo challenged him as their weapons met. Seeing another beam attempting to destroy him from the cannons of Nebula, the braided pilot pushed the mobile suit forward, right into the beam as he shot off in time to escape.
kono mune no kodou ha
anata he to tsuduiteru
Kumi was working her way through the soldiers when they suddenly spread out and away from her. She didn't have a moment to wonder why they suddenly retreated with Capricorn rammed her head-first over her cockpit. The silver-haired pilot grunted in pain as she gripped her controls, fighting the jolt that would have some with the blow. The Gundam released her as they were just feet away from each other now. "I'm going to enjoy this," Demetris growled deeply with a sneer. Kumi simply replied with a deep growl and narrowed eyes. Instantly, they took to their own personal struggle.
sou shi'nayaka ni ima kanji: jidai wo suhada de uketomete
motto "yasashisa" mitsuketai yo
subete ga kirameiteta osanai hi no "kiseki" torimodoshite...
The pilots were just starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel as there was the smallest of breaks in the massive clouds of mobile suits. Quatre was the first to notice as he shouted to his friends, "They're not invincible, everyone! We have a chance if we keep this up!" He went on to kill a handful of soldiers. Sette was following her fiancee as she screamed and hammered her way through the fight.
Delapan wrapped her whip around three suits at one time, spinning them around her suit at a great velocity. She released them as they were hurled into their comrades, taking them out with the explosions of their damaged suits. Noin stabbed her bow straight through the cockpit of a Space Leo before unleashing a rain of arrows upon a handful of soldiers that followed. She spun in just enough time to catch a small army that was close to taking her out from behind. Grunting loudly, she got her suit to punch, shoot and destroy her enemies by any means necessary
otagai no setsunasa
kanjiai wakeaeru nukumori wo shinjiteru
Trowa went on to soar through the battle, shooting and stabbing the entire time as he was met with OZ soldiers. It wasn't until he worked through a haze of suits that he caught sight of Capricorn battling Excalibur. His eyes widened at the sight just before they narrowed as he prepared to join the fight.
Just as he was about to take off, Mason shot in front on him, arms stretched out at the sides to block his path. Sette leaned forward and shouted with concern for the tall pilot in her eyes, "If Demetris sees you again, he won't let you live like the last time Trowa! Kumi's a big girl! Let her handle this!" Trowa replied, "Sette!?!" He lowered his head and growled deeply. Reluctantly, he nodded, "Alright." The ex-princess led him away from the scene and back to where they would be the most helpful.
Together, they aided Delapan, Wufei, Quatre, Noin and Duo in widening the hole that the Arabian managed to find. While there were still overwhelming numbers for them to fight still, they knew that had a chance to reach the ship if they continued to push through in this fashion. Delapan was both attacking and informing the others when they needed to avoid a blast from the ship.
kono kisu de tashikana
jou'netsu wo tsutaetai
Demetirs lifted his sword over his suit's head and hurled it down upon the black Gundam below. Kumi managed to block the huge weapon with he own, much thinner, sword as they pressed forward with all their strength. They grunted and shouted as they released their hold to use other tactics. Every time their swords met, there was enough light from the sparks to light everything around them for a moment. Capricorn nailed a punch right over the cockpit of his greatest rival. The silver-haired pilot ignored the pain and fought back with all she had.
Wufei was stabbing through mobile suits continuously as he soared and tried to aid his friends in opening a large gap in the OZ's forces. Releasing another wave of fire, he managed to help the cause immensely. Panting, he looked to his monitors and watched with a shocked glance as another huge army, as big as the first one sent, was coming from the ship. He shouted to the others, "We won't be able to break through at this point. There's another fleet being sent!"
Duo shouted, "WHAT!?!" as he turned quickly to witness the appearance of the recruits. Delapan slammed her controls as she hissed, "DAMN IT! We were so close!" Noin stated in anguish, "With their ability to clone people, we won't be able to get the upper-hand." Sette shook her head and sighed deeply, "We knew there was a chance we wouldn't make it through." Quatre said quietly, "We had to try something." Trowa replied gravely, "We have to turn back while we still can."
Together, they shot off in retreat from the fight, knowing that they couldn't win this battle. They managed to get a few feet away without being followed. All the while, Duo was looking to the opening that was quickly shrinking. A deep growl left him and pushed forward on his controls, going head-first into the fray. The others had no means of knowing that their friend was going to shoot forward. Quatre turned as he witnessed his charge too late. His eyes widened as he shouted after him, "DUO!" The others turned and watched in terror. Deathscythe was soon beyond any of their sight.
Stabbing through anyone foolish enough to try and stop him, Duo flew straight for the OZ craft, shrieking as he took out his foes. At the same time, he was just barely missing the shots from the guns of the enormous craft. Seeing that his straightaway was narrowing even more now that the band of reinforcements arrived, he shouted to the mobile suits, "JUST GET OUT OF MY WAY!!!" He continued to fly in a straight path until he was about a mile from the target.
Just then, the beam from one of the countless cannons on the ship hit their mark, blasting the suit perfectly it its right side. Duo shouted in agony as his cockpit was sparking all around on account of the damage. Deathscythe was lost as the mobile suits surrounded it from every angle, swallowing whole within them. A small, groan left the braided pilot as he slumped forward, unconscious. His comrades watched in terror as they screamed.
[Music Bridge]
Kumi's eyes widened as she was still in mid-fight the moment she heard her comrades scream, Duo's name being one of the things shouted. Looking to her monitors, she just managed to watch as Deathscythe was being taken in by the OZ soldiers. Her eyes closed slowly as she whispered, "Thank you, Duo."
In the Capricorn, Quinze's image appeared on the monitors as he informed his best soldier, "Demetris, you are to return to the ship immediately." The giant shouted in rage, "But, Sir! We have them right where we want them! Let me help finish them off!" The OZ leader glared to him and ordered, "You are to return and help make our new guest welcome. I don't want those pilots destroyed until they know what it feel like to lose everything they hold dear." A deep and loud growl left the huge pilot as he lowered his head, "Yes, Your Excellency."
Demetris concluded his fight with his greatest opponent as he pulled back. He shouted, "This is the last time we'll meet and part this way again! Next time, only one of us will leave the fight alive!" Kumi was still panting as she glared to the other suit and replied deeply, "Agreed." Capricorn shot back off to the ship, his ground covered instantly by countless mobile suits to prevent anyone from following.
kono mune no kodou ha
anata he to tsuduiteru
Wufei was continuing to fight the incredible OZ fleet to save his friend as he shouted, "WE HAVE TO BREAK THROUGH SOMEHOW!" Just then, his suit was tackled from the side, forcing him back and away from the mobile suits. "WHAT THE-!?!" The Chinese pilot and his friends all looked in shock. It was Excalibur that pushed him back. Kumi looked to all of them, hovering a few feet before their Gundams. "Leave him," she ordered without any wavering in her voice. Paralyzed in shock, the Gundam pilots looked to their silver-haired comrade as they couldn't believe that they heard her correctly.
otagai no setsunasa
kanjiai wakeaeru nukumori wo shinjiteru
Sette whispered, "K-Kumi, you're not serious." In response, Excalibur's Buster riffle was lifted and pointed in the direction of the Gundams before her. The pilots couldn't believe that this was happened as they fell back in their seats, not sure whether or not they should call this as a bluff. Their uncertainty was put to rest as the 'Perfect Soldier' stated in monotone, "I'll shoot any and every one of you that tries to save him." The finger of her suit began to pull back on the gun's trigger to prove that she was not just making a threat.
kono kisu de tashikana
jou'netsu wo tsutaetai
Unable to breathe, the pilots pulled back a few inches. "Get back to Pulsar," the silver-haired pilot deadpanned. Wufei shouted in rage as slammed his controls, leading the way back to their own ship. Heavy Arms was the last suit to leave, Trowa never taking his gaze from his lover's suit. The stoic pilot kept her stand, not moving an inch even for him. He lowered his head as his eyes closed with a sad expression. The tall pilot turned his suit around and followed the others.
Kumi lowered her suit's gun to its side, watching the departure of her lover's Gundam for a moment. The ship that they had come to attack was no longer in sight. The 'Perfect Soldier's' hair was a mess as it was falling in strands from its ponytail after the difficult struggle. She closed her eyes and whispered in her soldier voice, "Let's just hope this was the right decision." At this, she turned and shot off in the direction that the others had taken.
(Song's End)
* * * * * *
The Gundam pilots returned to Pulsar an hour later. Excalibur was the last to enter the hanger, giving the others time to leave their suits and reach the hanger floor. Zes, Brian and all of their friends were with them as they spoke of the fight and how things went awry. All conversation ended when the dark, winged Gundam entered and landed alongside the other suits. The pilots watched with mixed expressions as the silver-haired pilot within lowered herself to the ground before them. With her expressionless mask in place, Kumi looked to all of them as she remained at the spot where she touched the ground.
Wufei stalked to her quietly and slowly, fists clenched and a piercing glare for the Japanese pilot. Kumi never returned the glare as she just continued to watch without any expression, still and straight as the unwavering soldier that she was. The Chinese pilot was less than a foot from her as he never broke his gaze with the cobalt eyes when he stopped. There was a pause. Without any warning, Wufei slammed his right fist across Kumi's right cheek, sending her head reeling. The other pilots let out a collective gasp as they watched in shock.
As Kumi turned her head back to face Wufei again, the Chinese pilot shouted, "WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED BACK THERE!?! THANKS TO YOU, WE'RE DOWN THREE PILOTS NOW!" The silver-haired pilot remained expressionless, with the fresh red bruise quickly making its presence known on her right cheek. The pilots watching were soon beginning to share their own looks of anger and uncertainty towards her. Kumi glare returned and she stated in monotone, "I did what I set out to do."
The dark eyes of the pilot before her widened a moment before they narrowed as he growled in a low whisper, "You. Did. What?" Kumi was about to walk past him and replied in her soldier tone, "Duo carried out his part of the job to protect Heero." Wufei's hand snapped up and grabbed the silver-haired pilot's wrist. He squeezed it tightly as he hissed, "You just killed BOTH of them!" Kumi screamed as she turned back to face her comrade, "IF DUO WASN'T CAPTURED, HEEO WOULD HAVE DIED!" Wufei's eyes widened once again as well as the eyes of their friends.
Kumi released her wrist with a sharp tug as she turned to all of them, "Heero's the closest to death he's ever been. We had no chance of winning that fight and freeing him, so bringing Duo to him was the only other option to saving him. I have no remorse for leaving Duo to be captured, nor will I ever. I had to do what was best for Heero. I don't have time to worry about your pinions or judgments. Think of me what you will. I could care less." At these last words, she left the room.
Trowa glared to Wufei as he shouted, "You really can be a prick, you know that!?!" Stunned, the Chinese pilot along with everyone present looked to him in shock. "Don't any of you think that it was a hard call for her to make by leaving Duo to be taken!?!" He didn't bother to look back at any of them as he stepped from the hanger.
Sette finally closed her slack jaw and whispered, "My God...He really does love her." Relena sighed deeply and lowered her head, "She was only doing what she thought was best for both Heero and Duo all along. If Heero died, Duo wouldn't have been far behind." Quatre looked sadly to the door as he whispered in a pained voice, "I still remember how empty Heero felt when we contacted him the night after V10 was destroyed. I'm amazed that he was able to hold on this long with that emptiness eating at him for so long."
Wufei huffed as he crossed his arms, "I still think that she went about this the wrong way. Quinze will never let Heero and Duo live now that he has both of them. It'll be her responsibility if anything happens to them." Sette's eyes narrowed as she asked in a deep growl, "What the hell did you just say?" The Chinese pilot turned to her and with no remorse in his voice or expression, he replied in a stern voice, "I said that if Heero and Duo get hurt or killed, it's Kumi's blame and none other." Delapan's eyes widened as she retorted, "You know that you can't feel like that, Wufei."
The young pilot shrugged and huffed, "I'd like to know why not. This was her plan all along." Sette shook her head, "I don't believe you. You have no idea what she's going through, any more than the rest of us." Her voice became louder as she continued and stalked to the Chinese pilot. "You're lucky she didn't kick your ass! You're not as tough as you act! YOU KNOW WHAT!?! GET THE HELL OUT OF MY FACE!" As she screamed this and other profanities, she unleashed a brutal attack of punches and kicks at the other pilot.
Quatre and Brian grabbed the tomboy as she continued to beat Wufei, who was beginning to fight back without hesitation. He was held back by Delapan, Sally and Noin as everyone shouted over them. Finally, Milliardo screamed over all of them, "STOP! NOW!" There was silence and stillness the instant the tall man screamed.
Wind huffed in anger and growled deeply, "None of this is going to help the situation." He sighed deeply, putting his own frustration at bay. He stated a bit more calmly, "We're all worried about Heero and Duo. Right now, all we can do is try to keep from falling apart all together." One by one, everyone present agreed. Wufei and Sette looked away from each other, knowing better than to bring up the bad feelings between them. Sally suggested, "It'll be best if you get away from this hanger and try to relax. Why don't we just head to one of the lounges and try to have a peaceful conversation, one that doesn't involve this war in any way." Without any hesitance, everyone made it clear that the suggestion was more than welcomed.
Milliardo was more at ease as he nodded, "Good. Lady Une will join us as soon as she's finished speaking with the Colony Council." Hearing the mention of that Council, Quatre asked quietly with wide eyes, "They here, on Pulsar?" Wind nodded and replied, "Yes. They weren't too pleased with the fight, since they feel as though it should have been Lady Une's call to attack Nebula."
Delapan cringed inwardly and shook her head, "I-if we waited... there would be no telling if we would have reached Heero in time." Sally nodded and replied, "We all know that, but the Council will be difficult to convince. Lady Une is doing her best to see that they understand." She said sternly, "Let's just try and not think about any of this stuff right now." Everyone nodded and filed out of the hanger in silence.
Trowa was running through the halls, trying to find his lover when he came across Sera Makato. The tall pilot stopped as he panted, "Sera...Have you seen Kumi?" The Preventer nodded with a frown, "The end of the hall...In the observatory." Trowa nodded with a frown of his own as he said quietly, "Thank you." As he ran off, he was stopped as he heard Sera call, "Trowa?"
The pilot of Heavy Arms turned back and nodded. Makato said quietly, "Be gentle with her. Kumi's just as frightened for Heero as the rest of us." The tall pilot didn't know how to respond, then finally smiled as he assured her, "I'll be gentle with her." Sera gave a small, smile as she responded, "I know you will. You understand her more than anyone else here...Thank you for that." Trowa replied, "Anytime." He ran back sown the hall to the observatory.
@ @ @ @ @ @
Duo and Kumi were standing in the pouring rain a good ways off from the cabin they were staying at with their friends. The silver-haired pilot stated in monotone, "We need to talk." Duo's face continued to show his deep concern and he huffed, "That's an understatement." In a small voice, he asked, "You saw Heero?"
The stoic pilot gave a nod and replied as she lowered her head, "Since we're connected as the Heart and Soul of Outer Space, we can pick things up on each other. But that only happens when we happen to be thinking of each other at the same time, or..." She paused before being able to continue. Looking into Duo's pained cobalt eyes, she hesitated before continuing quietly, "Or in this case...when one of us is close to death." A sharp gasp left the braided pilot as his hands instantly wrapped around his body, doubling over, as if he had been nailed in the gut with a steel fist. He took a few steps back as his head lowered.
Kumi walked to him and heard a few strained breaths coming from the American as he tried to get his composure. Her eyes grew sad and she wasn't sure what support she could offer. "God, I was so afraid that this would happen," Duo barely managed to whisperer. He lifted his head to look back to his lover's cousin. With his tears melding with the rain that soaked his face, he asked in a broken whisper, "How long does he have?" Kuni answered, "Not long... A day... Two at the most." Duo's hands covered his face as he took a deep breath. As he lowered his hands, he began to have a spark of determination in his demeanor.
Duo shook his head and stated clearly with a stern expression, "I'll hit Nebula myself, if I have to. I'm not going to let Heero die." Kumi assured him, "We attack in a couple hours, so that we can prepare ourselves... I agree that we can't wait for Lady Une's word any longer, but I have to tell you honestly that I don't see us winning this fight." Duo looked a bit stunned, but remained silent to allow his comrade to continue.
The 'Perfect Soldier' explained, "This is going to be a blind fight against one of the three strongholds of the OZ organization. We have no way of knowing what is going to be thrown at us when we hit... With those chances, it's not realistic that the outcome will be in our favor." The braided pilot shook his head and insisted, "There has to be something that we can do, Kumi. I can't just sit back and say that there isn't any way we can save Heero."
Suddenly, there was hesitance in the silver-haired pilot again as she looked to Duo with a questioning look for a long pause. Finally, her uncertainty faded as her eyes widened in realization as she nodded, "There is something that we can do... If we don't have any way of winning, and you were to be captured..." Duo's own eyes widened and he smiled, "I see what you're getting at. I'll do whatever it takes to help him, so this isn't anything that I'm afraid of. I just need you to promise me that you'll get the others out of the fight once I'm taken to keep them safe."
Kumi frowned and shook her head, looking away as she sighed deeply, "Duo, you know that as a soldier, I can't give my word on such things." The braided pilot took her hand and made sure their eyes locked. "I don't want your word as a soldier," he told her, "I want your word as a friend." The stoic pilot blinked as she took this in. She took a moment before answering.
The japanese pilot lowered her head before locking eyes again and nodding once, "Hai...You have my word as a friend that the others will not be harmed." Her eyes narrowed as she insisted, "Just don't expect this from me again." Duo smiled softly through the rain and said quietly, "Arigato, Kumi." She gave one lat nod and asked, "And you're fine with what should happen to you?" The braided pilot stood straight and saluted with his wide smile, "All that matters to me is that Heero is alright. I'll do whatever it takes to see that he is." It was decided and agreed and the two pilots walked back to the safe house to wake their comrades.
@ @ @ @ @ @
Kumi sat in the observatory, recalling this last encounter that she had with the braided pilot. The room was dark as she didn't bother to turn on the lights. The blueprints that she had been working on for years were spread on the long, silver table before her as she sat on another table like it. Her right leg was hanging over the edge of her seat and her left was hugged against her chest as she looked to the papers that she had spent almost her entire life trying to perfect, to no avail. The pilot looked lost as she gazed to them, so many things running through her mind that she didn't know what end was up.
The Japanese pilot's fists clenched tightly as she hissed in a breath through clenched teeth. Kumi sprang from the table that she was sitting on. Instantly, she screamed as he lifted the table where her blueprints rested, flipping it over. Taking several glass test tubes, beakers, and other bottles that were in the room, she knocked them from their resting places and threw other across the room, smashing them against the opposing walls.
It wasn't until she had destroyed nearly everything in the observatory that Kumi stopped, panting and sobbing as she collapsed to glass-covered the floor. She sobbed loudly, covering her face as she cried hysterically for the first time since Matt's death. Only a minute passed like this before a pair of strong, arms wrapped around her. She was gently pulled to sit up and was pulled into a strong chest, a hand at the back of her head to hold it in the warm confines below a slender neck. The silver-haired pilot's loose hair was stroked and she heard a sweet voice whispered, "Shhhh. It's alright... I've got you."
The Japanese pilot wrapped her arms tightly around her lower, lifting her head from his chest as she fought to control the sobs. Resting her right cheek over Trowa's heart as they sat there, she sighed deeply and managed to calm herself again. The tall pilot kissed her temple, letting the kiss linger a moment before pulling away to whisper, "You did the right thing. We'll get Heero and Duo back safely and everything will be fine." Kumi dried her eyes and pulled her head away to look in his eyes as she huffed, "You sound so sure about that."
Trowa smiled warmly to her and replied gently, "I know that you never would have allowed Duo's capture if you didn't think that we would get the both of them back safely." Kumi rose to her feet and shook her head, "It won't be that easy." Trowa rose to his feet as he said quietly, "But you know that we have a chance." The silver-haired pilot turned back to him and replied with a single nod as she whispered, "Hai." Trowa lifted her head up with a gentle finger placed under her chin until their eyes met.
The tall pilot smiled lovingly and caressed her cheek as he whispered, "You are amazing, Kumi. No matter what, you never give up on anything." The European pilot gently kissed her lips and forehead before pulling her into a gently embrace. "Just trust in Duo to save Heero... The same way that I trust in you... forever and always." The silver-haired pilot whispered breathlessly, "Trowa." She looked up to him and they leaned in to kiss.
Just before their lips could caress each other, the bright lights of the observatory were switched on. The lovers turned to the door in shock. A handful of Preventers along with several Representatives of the Colony Council were standing there, glaring to them. The first Preventer walked to them with a pair of thick cuffs.
Without saying anything, the soldier walked to Kumi and slapped them on the pilot's forearms. Trowa's shouted in rage to him and the men and woman at the door, "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS!?!" The handcuffs went from her wrist to the beginning of her elbow and the soldier stated, "Kumi Yuy, you are under arrest for treason against the Preventers and Colonies alike by calling upon the attack of an OZ ship without permission from a superior officer." The 'Perfect Soldier' remained expressionless as she replied, "Hn."
Trowa, however, was enraged as he shouted to the Council members, "YOU CAN'T DO THIS! KUMI DID THE ONLY THING SHE COULD TO SAVE HEERO!" One of the Representatives smirked as she stated, "That'll be up to the Judge to decide. The trial begins in a few days. We won't treat her differently than any another soldier, whether she is a Gundam pilot or not." Trowa was about to shout something back when his lover said gently to him, "It's alright, Trowa." He turned back to face her with a look of shock as he shouted with a shocked face, "WHAT!?!"
Kumi turned to the Council and requested, "May I have a moment to speak with him?" The request was granted as the Preventer holding her right arm released it once the Representatives nodded. Trowa and Kumi walked to a far corner. The tall pilot looked with pained eyes to his partner as he caressed her cheek and whispered sadly, "How can you let them do this to you, Kumi?" She said simply, "We can't allow the risk of a war within a war. We have to play by their rules if we hope to have any sense of balance in this war. It's bad enough the Earth is standing alone. If we were to upset the Colony Representatives, we'd be at a loss without their support." Trowa understood, but he still couldn't stand the thought of his lover being imprisoned for doing the only right thing that she could.
Hesitantly, Trowa finally sighed deeply and nodded, "Alright." He rested his forehead against Kumi's and assured her, "We'll do whatever we can to see that you're released when the trial comes." The silver-haired pilot gave a small smile just for him as she said gently, "I believe in you." Looking to the blueprints spread all over the floor, Kumi asked her partner, "Will you take care of those? You'll have to finished them for me now." Trowa looked to her with wide eyes, then smiled gently and whispered, "I'll take care of them." They kissed gently, then deeply. Before long, the 'Perfect Solider' was taken away as the Preventer grabbed her right arm and led her away. Kumi looked over her shoulder to have one last look at he lover before she was taken out of the room. Trowa watched quietly with a heavy heart. "I love you," he whispered to the empty door.
Lady Une had informed the other pilot what happened at the meeting that had just taken place as they ran down the hall together. They watched with disbelief as the silver-haired pilot was led past all of them, handcuffed and guarded by armed soldiers behind and before her. There were many spectators from the ship that parted to either side of the hall with mixed expressions as they shouted different things. Some praised the Gundam pilot while others cursed her insubordination that could have risked lives. The pilot, herself, remained expressionless and head high as she walked on.
Sette sighed deeply and lowered her head as she whispered, "God, not this." Lady Une shook her head, "Everyone is looking for someone to chastise other than OZ. They're so afraid that we'll lost that they're pointing their fingers at the very people trying to save them." Wufei looked away from the sight of the prisoner as he growled deeply, "I am mad as hell at her, but this is the last thing she deserves." Quatre asked timidly, "What are we going to do now... Without her, we're down four pilots." Delapan turned to her comrade and answered gravely, "We pray for a miracle."
* * * * * *
On Nebula, Duo was thrown into one of the ship's dark cells, landing on his right side. The door slammed behind him as he got to his knees, struggling after the pain in his body from the recent battle. The braided pilot groaned deeply as he fell back to lean his back against the wall closest to him. "I didn't miss being thrown in places like this," he sighed deeply as he looked to is surroundings. His eyes adjusted before too long. As he scanned the room, his eyes locked onto something that Made his heart stop as a sharp gasp left him.
There was someone in the cell with him. That prisoner lied on their right side, their back to the American. Their muscular, broken form lied lifelessly in the corner furthest from Duo. Their blue shirt and light blue jeans were torn all over as the bruises and scars left from his beatings were clearly visible. Their unruly, dark hair was wet with sweat as it matted together in clumps here and there. And on the right shoulder lied a tattoo that left no question to the identity of the fallen prisoner.
Instantly, tears filled Duo's eyes until they threatened to spill on their own as he whispered brokenly, "Heero." Slowly and quietly, he crawled over to his lover, fighting the sobs that were shaking him already. Once he was beside the Wing pilot, he ever so gently rolled him onto his back and cradled him from the waist up.
The tears were now unable to be stopped as they slipped from their cobalt confines, soaking the braided pilot's face. He caressed Heero's cheek and began sobbing quietly. It had been months since the lovers were together. Heero was as beautiful as ever, to Duo, even with all of the bruised and cuts on him. With the softest of touches, he ran his hand through his koi's hair. After a few strokes, he went back to caress his partner's cheek again. This time, there was a soft, deep sigh that left the Wing pilot with a tiny moan. Duo gasped as Heero subconsciously leaned into his touch. The Japanese pilot whispered softly, painfully, "Duo... So warm..."
Unable to breathe, the American looked to his love with wide eyes. He wiped some of his face dry by rubbing his cheeks against his shoulders. He whispered as he leaned close to his lover, "Heero?" The pilot in his arms gave a small whimper, still unable to break through his deep slumber, "I miss you so much, koibito... Please take me with you." Duo felt his heart tear at the seams as a small sob left him as he whispered breathlessly, "Oh, Heero..." He placed a long, soft kiss on the 'Perfect Soldier's' forehead. "I'm right, here, my love." That was enough to break the cold grip that sleep held on the Wing pilot.
Heero's eyes fought to open and soon, they began to blink a few times. When they regained focus, they widened as he realized someone was holding him. Looking up, he saw the face of his lover and best friend. A loud, sharp gasp left him as he fought himself out of the embrace, crawling back into the corner quickly. Once there, he hugged his legs tightly against his chest, burying his head in them as he sobbed. Duo remained where he was, watching his partner with a lonely face. He could only imaging what his poor koi was going through after months of thinking that he was dead.
"No more of these dreams... I can't take them anymore..." Heero pleaded in a whisper broken with sobs. He lifted his head to cover it with his hands as he continued the same, "Duo was taken from me once... I can't keep losing him every night." Duo wiped his face dry, again, even as more tears fell uncontrollably. "Heero," he whispered. He lowered his head and asked himself, "How can I make you believe-" Just then, his eyes widened as the answer came to him. He looked back to his distraught love and took a deep breath.
Managing to regain control of his voice again, Duo sang quietly as he focused on the Wing pilot, "The strand in your eyes that color them wonderful stop me and steal me breath..." The sobs coming from Heero suddenly began to slow. Duo continued, watching the Wing pilot closely, "Emeralds from mountains thrust towards the say, never revealing their depth..."
Heero lifted his tear-streaked, pale and shocked face from its protection behind his hands as he looked to the braided pilot. Duo sang on, "So tell me hat we belong together...Dress it up with the trappings of love..." Heero began to slowly crawl to Duo as he never took his hopeful gaze from him. Duo was beginning to become emotional again and his voice was becoming broken in a whisper again, being so close to his love was more than he could handle. Still, he sang with what he had, "I'll be captivated...I'll hang from your lips...Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above..."
Now, Heero was sitting right beside Duo, their tear-filled eyes locked on one another. They sang together in harmony with their small voices on cue, "And I'll be...you're crying shoulder...I'll be love suicide...I'll be better when I'm older...I'll be...the greatest fan of your life." There was nothing but silence between the pilots as they looked to one another with hope and awe in their faces and eyes.
Slowly, Heero lifted a trembling hand to dry his love's face of the tears that left this eyes. The Wing pilot's breath was slowly becoming rapid, but quiet as he ran his hand slowly over his lover's features, beginning with his forehead and carefully working his way down, with the gentle touch of his fingertips. When Heero's hand reached Duo's lips, the braided pilot kissed it tenderly as he closed his eyes, a soft sigh leaving him. Heero's bottom lip began to quiver and he bit it as a small whimper left him.
"DUO!" he cried as he threw his arms around his lover, planting kissed all over his face that were returned with just as much enthusiasm. "Heero," Duo whispered breathlessly. "Oh, God, I've missed you so much, koibito," Duo whimpered as they continued to hold each other tightly, leaving butterfly kissed on their love's face. Heero buried his face in Duo's chest and sobbed. He whispered breathlessly, "My beautiful Duo." He looked up and smiled lovingly through his tears to his best friend. Moved beyond words, Duo wiped Heero's tears as he returned the loving smile. After so long, they leaned in slowly to kiss each other's lips again.
The kiss went from tender to deep as the grip that they held on one another became as tight as it could get. Sighing and moaning in their lover's mouth, they drew the searing kiss out for as long as they could before their need for air separated them. Panting, they never took their eyes or arms from each other.
Heero whispered breathlessly as he caressed Duo's cheek, "I love you so much, Duo." Duo bit his lip and nodded as he whispered back, "I love you, too, Heero... More than you'll ever know." They kissed deeply again, reveling in the taste in feel of their lover again.
Exhausted beyond words could be described, Heero began to sag in the braided pilot's arms. Duo chuckled deeply and sighed in content, "Awwww. My koi's tired." Heero chuckled deeply and nuzzled his right cheek over the part of Duo's chest where he could hear his heartbeat. His eyes drifted closed as a small sigh of content left him now. Slowly, Duo lowered them onto the ground.
Their arms never lost the right hold they had. Just as the American was about to close is own eyes, Heero leaned up and kissed him deeply again. Duo returned the kiss with just as much need and passion, running his fingers in the Wing pilot's hair.
When the kiss finally broke, Heero hovered over Duo and whispered with a sweet smile, "Thank you... For keeping your promise to stay alive." Feeling the urge to cry again, the braided pilot nodded and whispered back, "Thank you for not leaving me." "Ai shiteru." "I love you." "Forever." "Always." One last gentle kiss and the pilots were willing to allow sleep to take over. Heero rested his head over Duo's heartbeat and sighed deeply, the smile never leaving. Duo kissed his forehead and rested his head, closing his eyes with his own smile in place.
It was the first time since the last time they were together that Heero and Duo slept soundly. No nightmares, no cold sweats, and even in the confines of the prison cell of their worst enemy, they no longer had any doubts about tomorrow and its empty promises. And Heero slept to the steady of rythym of his love's heartbeat. Even in his sleep, through the most pleasant of dreams, he could hear it. And now it was giving him the strength and courage that he had lost when he thought his reason for living was taken from him... When morning came, the pilot once known as the 'Perfect Soldier' would awaken again.
TBC