Freezing, crystalline blue water surrounded him, causing momentary surprise and hesitation. He sank deeper into the liquid depths, his body unwilling to move to his mind's commands. The pale light of the full moon over head danced upon the water, it's reflection swaying and wavering at the disturbance of the still, glass-like liquid.

Swimming back to the surface of the icy water, Quatre struggled to keep moving, to stay conscious. He was nearing the edge of the water, his lungs yearning for air, craving the sweet oxygen that sustained life. With an outstretched hand, the platinum blonde kicked toward the winter night air, trying to ignore the water, so cold it felt like daggers stabbing every portion of his body. "Almost there..." One last kick and he could breathe again.

A stubborn patch of water plants that refused to die in the winter water stood strong, clustered around the area that the young man was nearing. Their leathery vines stretched outward, swaying in the disturbed water. Entangling themselves around his leg, the plants tightened due to the young man's struggle. With each new movement, they gripped tighter, now impossible to undo.

Fingers brushing the harsh night air, Quatre was jerked back into the depths of the water, away from air, away from the one thing that would allow him to live. Glancing down quickly, the teenage pilot was just able to make out a group of water vegetation, winding over his right ankle, constricting around his leg. "I can't do this! I need to help my friends! I need to breathe!!" His delicate fingers fumbling over the vine, he felt for some way to release him from them. His lungs, on fire at this time, could not hold out much longer.

Tighter and tighter the vines grew, ripping into his tender flesh, cutting the muscle and rubbing against the bone. With every one of his attempts, he only managed to ensnare himself more.

Quatre gave up, trying to forget the burning pain that raced throughout his entire leg as he reached for the surface of the lake once more, doing something to keep himself from passing out, his lungs searching for any last molecule of oxygen that he hadn't yet used. Forcing every last ounce of strength he could gather, he kicked toward the open night air. His left hand broke the surface, grasping for air, just for a few seconds though. The pilot was able to pull the plant's roots out somewhat from the frozen soil, but he hadn't gained enough strength to pull them free of the ground. He was pulled back into the water harshly, his life's end coming nearer. Again he tried to tear the vines from his ankle, but only succeeded in pulling them tighter as he saw his dark red blood turn the blue liquid a deep crimson.



Trowa fired one last shot, his enemy falling limp to the white snow, staining it a bold red with his life's essence. Looking around, he found his comrades wearily putting their weapons away in the cold night air. Wufei was leaning against a tree, Duo swaying as he put his gun in its holster, Heero sitting on his knees in the snow, looking into the night sky.

All was finally silent, the cries of the OZ soldiers disappearing with the last gunshot. The unknown ambush had nearly cost them their lives, but the Gundam Pilots were quick to recover from the surprise.

Trowa looked around, trying to slow his breathing as he looked for his kind- hearted friend. Quatre was no where in sight. He wanted to thank the platinum blonde for saving him from near certain death that he hadn't noticed. Yet Quatre was still nowhere to be seen. "Hey guys, where's Qua..." his question was cut short by a sudden splash in the lake behind him.

All heads turned swiftly, catching sight of a pale hand outstretched from beneath the water, grasping for air. Each of the four pilots held their breath, surprised yet again by the suddenness of the sound. The hand sank beneath the water, just as quickly as it had come; though it tried to grasp something, anything, on its departure.

"QUATRE!" They cried in surprising unison. Heero and Trowa were closest, each not hesitating a second longer as they raced toward the water, diving into the frozen liquid as they swam to their friend in distress.

Quatre heard a couple of splashes, as he was ready to give up, his friends were coming. This gave him more strength, allowing him to deny his lungs' demand to inhale, even if it was water surrounding him. "Please, help me!" He thought, feeling himself slowly losing the renewed will. In the darkness, he was barely able to make out the two forms swimming toward him. "Please hurry!" Quatre blinked back the oncoming darkness that began to cloud his vision.

He felt a pair of strong hands grip his arms, shaking him awake from his near unconsciousness. Looking up, the young pilot was met with a pair of emerald green eyes, shining with a firm determination to save his friend. A pulling at his leg told him there was another, and upon looking down, he saw a flash of silver metal as Heero began to free him. Silently, Quatre prayed they would hurry, for even with his friends' arrival, he was not able to hold out much longer. He concentrated on Trowa's grip as he swam to his side.

Watching Heero, he waited for the second that Quatre was released to pull his weakening and tired form to the surface of the water. He could feel the kind-hearted pilot's life slowly slipping away, thus making him pray to God not to take his friend from him.

Heero worked on the vines, pulling them taut and cutting at them, slowly tearing the leathery plants. He too could feel Quatre's desperate need for air, his life draining from his body as the seconds passed. Heero worked faster and harder, cutting at the vines with all of his strength. He wasn't going to let him die, Quatre didn't deserve it, let alone like this. The deep wound in his leg made the Perfect Soldier pity the boy, his emotions awakening even more after all that he was trained for. Anxiousness and frustration were also evident as his work gradually rewarded him.

Quatre couldn't stay strong any longer; he couldn't fight off the oncoming darkness. With one last prayer of gratitude to have such great friends, even in a war such as the one they fought, Quatre gave up. His eyes closed and his grip on Trowa's arm went slack, his body limp. The unusable air left in his lungs exited his throat, rising as ice water took its place. Slowly his heart stopped, its constant beating becoming no more.

Trowa, losing his cool, realized that his friend was going to die if they didn't get him out of the lake. Swimming downwards, ignoring his lungs' plead for air, began to tear at the vines. He met Heero's disbelieving gaze, then realized that his eyes also held a great sadness. There were only a couple more vines to cut, and then their comrade would be free. He snatched the blade from Heero's tiring grasp, slicing at the vegetation. His anger fueled his muscles as he worked with all of his might, finally cutting Quatre free at last.

Seeing that Trowa had finished the last of the vines, he kicked off of the ground of the lake, taking Quatre's limp form to the surface. Upon breaking through, Heero himself took in a great breath as he swam for the bank. Wufei and Duo awaited them, wading in the water at knees length. Their worried features were somewhat relieved when they saw the two. Heero was met half way to the shore, handing over Quatre's ghostly pale body as he drug himself through the water. Trowa was at his side in no time, gasping somewhat as well, his strength greatly decreased.

"God, what happened?!" Cried Duo, pulling Quatre's soaked form onto the cold ground, looking unbelievingly at the blonde's near white face.

"He's not breathing!" Stated Wufei, very unlike his normal controlled self as he checked frantically for the young man's pulse. "His heart's stopped beating!"

Heero and Trowa were beside the poor teenager in seconds, they each knew what they had to do. Heero tilted his friend's head back, opening his mouth. Trowa placed his palms, one hand on top of the other, just over top of his heart on the sternum. They were going to have to perform CPR; they weren't going to let Quatre die. Nodding to Heero, he waited for the pilot to breathe for their comrade, then he took over, helping his friend's heart to keep the blood circulating. Shinigami and the young dragon looked on, unable to do much, except to pray which they did with extreme sincerity.

Still, Quatre did not respond to any of the help. He was slipping further and further. Soon, he would be gone forever, to the point where his friends' attempts would be worthless.

"Quatre! Come on! You can't give up on us now!" Trowa yelled in frustration, throwing every ounce of strength he had into the compressions. Tears of hopelessness began to fill his eyes, he couldn't lose his friend, he just couldn't. Not now, not ever!

Heero remained silent, continuing to breathe for the poor pilot. He could tell his comrades were extremely frustrated, losing their focus as Quatre lay, leaving them as he fell into the hands of death. He didn't want to lose the merciful pilot; he was like a brother to Heero, not only a friend. He hadn't known a family; he hadn't known anything other than the four pilots and Relena. But what he knew now was the closest thing he could ever have to a family, and he wasn't going to lose them either. Surprisingly, he felt tears sting the back of his eyes, and when he looked over, he saw that Trowa and Duo no longer cared, for theirs' flowed freely down their cheeks while Wufei held them back with effort. Closing his eyes as Trowa continued, Heero tried to blink back the tears. It was no use, for they traced their paths down his cheeks, dropping from his chin. He was losing Quatre, just like he'd lost the little girl and her puppy so long ago. Just above a whisper, Heero spoke for the first time since he realized what had happened to the pilot of Sandrock. "Please, God don't take him away. It isn't his time, if you must take someone, then take me. Please, you...you can't...." His words were broken as he raised his head to the heavens. Opening his eyes, he searched the stars for an answer, begging the Lord to take him in Quatre's place. A hand on his shoulder told him that Trowa had given up, for their friend was lost. They could do nothing more to help him.

Wufei turned his head from the body of the pilot, closing his eyes and fighting off the emotions that threatened to overflow. Quatre was gone; they could do nothing for him now. The young man had found a way into the proud warrior's heart, just as he had done everyone else's. In the beginning, when the two had first met, Wufei had believed him to be the weakest of the Gundam Pilots, wondering how he ever became one. He realized now why Quatre was chosen, and that he was the strongest of the five. His mercy, trust, and kind-heartedness served him well, it was what kept the others alive, what let them keep their saneness and humanity. He even helped Heero find his humanity that was thought so long ago lost.

Duo, eyes downcast, clenched his fists so that his knuckles were white. Why? Why did death have to take his friend, his brother? Why couldn't it have been him? He'd cheated death numerous times, so why wasn't it Duo lying there instead of Quatre? His tears fell, melting the snow as they hit. Raising his eyes, the young pilot who used to called himself Shinigami looked into the pale face of his comrade, his wet bangs matting against his forehead as he lay still. He was at peace, he didn't have to fight and suffer any longer. Yet, he should never have had to die in such a way, not like that.

Trowa ceased his attempts to bring his friend back. He had not the strength to continue, and he knew it was useless. Upon Heero's desperate plea to the Lord, Trowa placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, grieving silently for his lost companion. Quatre had risked it all to save his life, to protect him. And yet in return, Trowa had failed him, failed to save his life. Now he was gone, and there was nothing more they could do to bring him back. Raising his eyes as well to the stars, Trowa asked himself the same question that Heero had, "Why did it have to be Quatre when it should by all rights have been me?" Something, a star, caught his attention as he stared into the night sky. It was brighter than the others were, but that's not why it held his attention. It was pulsing, its light growing brighter and brighter still. "What..."

Duo and Wufei looked into the dark, star speckled sky, catching sight of what Trowa saw. Heero had noticed it as well.

"Another battle?" Duo asked, voice quieted, its usual cheeriness replaced by depression.

"No, it can't be. That's a star." Heero, just noticing that his body was trembling from grief and the cold replied with a strange, yet hopeful voice.

The star pulsed, radiating brighter still, illuminating the sky. In one spectacular beat, the star exploded, raining light over the countryside, falling from the heavens like golden glitter blown in the wind. Its sparks fell onto the boys, it was like magic. A wondrous voice spoke; it seemed to come from all around them. "Your feeble cries and selfless prayers have been answered. The star that once stood before you has now taken the place of your dear friend, take care of him, for God has given him another chance. He has forgiven you all for what you must do, and He wishes for you to know He will always be by your side. Even in your darkest hours."

Slowly the light faded, it's magnificent glow replaced by the navy blue sky once more. The angelic voice echoed softly in the wooded area behind the pilots.

"Wh....what was that?" Duo was near speechless.

"It was a gift from God, Duo," Heero whispered, looking back down at Quatre's still form. He waited, waited for the miracle that the angel had promised.

All was silent; each eye turned in Quatre's direction. And each awaited the chance to witness a miracle told unto them by an angel from the heavens. Without warning, the young man began to cough up the water that had invaded his lungs. In great relief, a smile crossed each one of their faces, Trowa smiling with more relief than any of them as he turned Quatre onto his side. And still he coughed up water, inhaling deeply. This was a good sign.

Quatre felt himself come to life once more, he could feel the cold ground beneath him, he could hear his friends near him. With great effort, he forced the water from his lungs, taking in the sweet winter air, even if it was cold. He relished each chance to breathe, to live, to be. He was even glad to feel the pain racing up his leg; the deep cut from the water plants still in his ankle. As he coughed up the rest of the water, Quatre felt himself being turned on his side; he could hear the relieved sighs of his friends as well as feel the gratitude in the air. Weary, he lay on the snow; the joyous snow as its coldness bit his skin. He didn't care, he was alive! Opening his eyes and rolling onto his back, what he saw amazed him. His friends, each smiling, surrounded him, their faces tear stained. Even Heero, whose amazement and gratitude was surprisingly obvious.

A soft voice spoke up; it was Trowa's. "Thank you Quatre. I want to thank you so much for all you've done while I still have the chance. I'm not going to risk it again."

With what strength he could gather, he gave them a weak smile, then spoke on his own. "I h-had to; I couldn't...couldn't let my brother die." His voice was forced, but held extreme sincerity. He began to tremble uncontrollably; the cold winter wind blowing over his wet body didn't help in warming him.

Wufei, seeing that Quatre wasn't out of the danger zone yet, stripped his white jacket from his shoulders and covered the shivering boy with it. A grateful smile crossed his lips; his eyelids had begun to droop. "We need to get him warm and that cut tended to. We could lose him again if we're not careful." Each teenager nodded, Quatre drifting off into sleep as exhaustion took over his body.

Duo, seeming to have the most strength of the four of them, picked up the sleeping form of his comrade and cradled him in his arms. Waiting for the others to rise, he walk to the semi-damaged truck that they had ridden in until they were ambushed. Trowa opened the door quietly on the driver's side and leaned the seat forward. Expertly, Duo stepped into the truck, lying the shivering form on the back seat with care. Sitting on the long seat next to him, he watched Trowa climb in back as well while Heero entered the passenger side. Wufei would be driving it seemed, he was probably next in line for having the most strength among the five of them.

~*~

Wufei came upon a small, snow covered cabin barely visible from the road. Pulling into the drive, he knew it was deserted. Hastily he pulled up to the house, they had to get in and get some heat going for a blizzard was trailing them and arriving fast. "Trowa, Duo, Heero, wake up. We're here and we need to get Quatre in the house, it's going to get really bad here in a matter of minutes guys."

A groan floated from the back seat as Trowa awoke, his slumber peaceful invaded by the Chinese pilot's voice. How he just wanted to close his eyes and sleep, but he knew better and to help him, Wufei had thrown the door open and left it there as he exited. Bitter winds entered the cab of the truck, bringing everyone to consciousness, except for the undisturbed Quatre. Stumbling out of the truck, Trowa took the sleeping teen from Duo as he tried to exit himself. "Wufei....what's wrong? Why....why are you in such a hurry?" Yawning, the normally silent young man walked through the snowy yard. It was at least a foot deep.

"We've got a blizzard coming our way; it isn't going to be mild either. Come on, get Quatre inside. Heero, are you all right?" The young warrior pointed Trowa toward the open cabin, then ran back to the truck to grab what they would probably need before the storm hit.

"I'm fine Wufei." Heero regained his balance as he began to walk toward the cabin. His steps were unsure and forced. Wufei was at his side in no time, helping to lead him toward the shelter. Heero could see the fatigue in his comrade's eyes, but he didn't show it in any other form as he made it easier on the rest of them. "Thank you."

He only nodded, then called out his next order as he hurried to get Heero into the house. "Duo! Come out here and help me get some wood into the house, we're gonna need some more than that feeble pile in there!"

"I'm coming man!" His voice echoed in the two-room cabin, he was sure not to call too loudly and wake up his sleeping companion. "Don't worry about it Trowa, just sit back down. You need to rest more than I do. I can get it with Wufei." Trowa only stopped his movements and settled back into the wooden chair.

~*~

The fire blazed in the small hearth of the cabin, the harsh winter winds blocked by the wooden walls. The five weary pilots would be safe, for now.

Duo, exiting a small room as he shut the door quietly behind him, looked into the faces of his three other companions. He understood their questions even before they said a word, and nodded with a slight smile. An unspoken communication passed between the friends, they could feel what the others felt, tell what was on their mind, and speak to each other without words. "He'll be fine; he just needs a lot of sleep. His ankle's gonna heal without any problems, but he's gonna have to stay off of it for a while. This can really get us in battle."

"We'd better lie low for a while then," was all Heero said, slowly rising from his seat in the corner and moving closer to the fire. A strange coldness swept over him, but it wasn't even cool in the cabin. It was like the deadly water of the lake was still around him, on his skin, never drying or heating. Without a second thought, he unconsciously shivered from the mental cold.

"Here Heero," Trowa took a blanket from the closet and tossed it to his friend. Tossing Duo and Wufei one as well, the young pilot took his and trudged to a small clear portion of the rug next to a glass coffee table. Falling to his knees, he settled down on the floor, lying his head against the velvet-like rug and began to fade into sleep. His last memories of consciousness were those of bringing his knees closer to his chest in an attempt to stay warm under the blanket, then another being layed upon him. After that, he was dead to the world around him.

Wufei returned to his seat by the window, having given up his blanket to his comrade. Looking out upon the snowy night, he realized just how much the guys seemed to be rubbing off onto him. The events from earlier that evening did help greatly in changing his ways of thinking and feeling. Sighing, he continued to watch the snow drift down from the gray sky.

"You okay Wu-man?" Duo leaned against the wall adjacent to the one where Wufei sat.

"I'm fine Duo."

"Sure ya are. You must be sick or somethin' man, you're usually threatening me by now about calling you that." Duo gave his friend a puzzled look

"He's right Wufei," added Heero, turning his gaze from the mesmerizing flames to the warrior as well.

Now that he thought about it, Duo and Heero were right. He didn't mind Duo's lack of disrespect, in his eyes, any longer. He didn't mind it at all. It was somewhat welcome, though why, that he didn't know. "No, I just don't mind any more. But that doesn't mean you will get away with everything Duo."

"Are you talking to me Wufei?" The pilot who called himself Shinigami was now confused, for Wufei never referred to him by his first name, always Maxwell.

"Trowa's sleeping, so is Quatre, and I wasn't directing my answer to Heero." What was wrong with his comrade now? Maybe he just needed some sleep.

"You called me Duo. It's always been Maxwell, have you ever heard him call me by my first name Heero?" Turning his cobalt blue eyes toward the Japanese pilot, he awaited an aswer.

"No," was his short reply.

"You might just need some rest, Wufei. Come on, you seriously aren't your normal self." Walking over to the Chinese pilot; the young American offered him his hand, which surprisingly, the other boy accepted. "You should get some sleep too, Heero. I'll take first watch over everything. Even you're having troubles staying awake man."

Heero, with little strength left to be stubborn, only nodded his head. "Fine, but in about a couple of hours, wake me up and you go to sleep. You need to get some as well."

"That's cool," was all he said, some cheeriness returning to his tone. Walking over to Heero, he offered him his hand and helped the teenager onto his unsure legs. Leading him over to the couch, he watched his friend lay down, asleep before his head hit the soft cushions. "I think that chair pulls out into a bed, here, let me check." Striding over to the large chair, he took the cushion and tossed it into the corner. Sure enough, there was a pullout bed. "Here..." Pulling it out, he offered it to the young man.

"Let Trowa have it, I can sleep in the other chair." He motioned toward the soundly sleeping form of Trowa. He was undisturbed by any of their conversation.

"Okay, I think that's a recliner if you wanna take that." Walking over to the slender form of the teenager who went by the name Trowa, Duo stood at his side. Wondering how on Earth he was going to get him onto the small bed without waking him, he could hear Wufei settling down in the chair opposite, his actions sluggish and forced. "Well, here goes nothing," bending down, he slowly slid his arms around the young man's shoulders and under his knees. Duo, rising while holding the youth, smiled to himself, for he had not yet awakened Trowa. Walking to the pullout bed, he layed the sleeping pilot down with great gentleness that was rather ironic for his physical strength. "Ya, get some sleep Wu..." He stopped mid-sentence, turning to find that now each of his companions were under the spell of the dreamers, unconscious to the harsh reality that they must physically live. Recovering his friend, Duo did the same to Heero and surrendered his blanket to Wufei before he headed to take a seat at the fogging window.

All he could see were snowflakes dancing vigorously upon the wind in the darkened sky. With the quiet crackling of the warm, golden fire, the only other sounds were those of his comrades' breathing as well as himself. Duo's steady heartbeat seemed to echo in the cabin walls, eerie, yet comforting. He was tired, yet he relished each moment of peace. Why couldn't life be this peaceful? Why did things have to be so difficult and hectic for them? He didn't understand life, but if anything came from this war, on the positive side, he was glad for it. He'd found Hilde, he'd met his great friends, and he didn't take life for granted any longer as most people seem to. He knew he never would again, that was for sure. Not after almost losing one of his best friends and brothers.

Whatever came their way during the rest of the senseless war, they would fight together. They would survive together as well. It was an unspoken promise made by all of the pilots, and it wasn't going to be broken, for the bonds of friendship and brotherhood were much stronger.

-Lady Stardancer

The end

Author's note:

If ya liked this, please review. Make you a deal. *holds out hand* If I get enough reviews/emails asking for it, I'll write a prelude to this and a sequel. Your call, I wouldn't mind it either way. *looks, waiting for an answer*