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Children of War

By,

Luna Dragon

Hotaru drove the car steadily behind Heero, Trowa, and Kaiya. She wasn't sure if they noticed her behind them or not; the former pilots and illegal operative weren't dumb. They had each been trained extremely well, as had Hotaru. Though she knew her developing skills weren't as good as theirs, she wasn't about to let them know she was following them.

With hands that gripped the steering wheel anxiously, the amnesia ridden girl made a turn at the coming light, parking at a gas-station. Silently she watched a cluster of cars disappear into the night; along with the two she had been following.

"Okay Hotaru," She mumbled to herself. "Now what?"

Almost greedily, she searched her pockets and pulled out a piece of paper. Unfolding it, Hotaru read the address without a sound. The only thing that seemed significant at the point, was the words that read "Seventh and Third Avenue." With Hotaru and her amnesia, she had no clue to where it was, but it had to be somewhere around here.

"Great situation you've created for yourself, Tomoe." She muttered along with curses as she swung the door open and walked casually up to the shop. "Excuse, I need to know where this is," The scientist's daughter said with no emotion.

She was too annoyed to care.

The tall, dark skinned man whose nametag said, "Michael" glanced at the paper and back to Hotaru uneasily. "Why do you need know where this dump is?"

"My friend lives there," She said, lying simply. "Now all I ask is that you tell me where to go, I'm not familiar with things around here."

Michael shock his head. "Ya musta gotten the wrong address, Ms." He said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Because that there is nothing but abandoned property."

He slid the paper across the counter.

Clenching her fists in utmost anger, but trying not to show it, Hotaru spoke through gritted teeth. "Listen, 'Michael'," she spat. "I have no time for this, now tell me how to get there before you see my bad side."

Hotaru's words seemed to hang in the air as a small flashback came to her mind.

~*~Hotaru's Day-Dream Flashback~*~

It was now officially two months since Akiko and Kaiya had worked for Professor Tomoe. Hotaru could do nothing but be forced to watch, and watched she did. She had never laid a hand in order to stop the two workers for her father, but that was all going to change now.

Just earlier, not even half-an-hour ago, did her father force Akiko and Kaiya on a mission to kill Heero Yuy, Duo Maxwell, Chang Wufei, Trowa Barton, and Quatre Raberba Winner -- the five ex-Gundam pilots.

Hotaru had been infuriated, beyond her capability ever before, and had argued with her father before finally deciding to give up . . . or at least that's what everyone thought she had done.

'Father! You cannot possibly be serious! They're beyond innocent!' Hotaru had shouted as she had followed her father through the halls. 'Those boys helped the world clearly more than anything anyone has ever done!'

'What is your point, Hotaru?' Professor Tomoe then asked absentmindedly. 'I do not care what they did, all I care about is what they can do now. Their Gundams are gone, but those boys are capable of many things. The wars proved that. I do not want them ruining my plans!'

'And just what are those plans of yours?' Hotaru shouted. He hadn't answered her, all he did was smirk evilly and cause Hotaru's hate for him to duplicate.

~*~End of Day-Dream Flashback~*~

"Now tell me, damn it." Hotaru finished as she clenched and unclenched her fists. "I have no time whatsoever for your incompetence."

Michael frowned. "Now listen here, Ms--"

"I said tell me damn it! My friend could be in danger!"

"Then maybe you should let the police--"

Aggravated, Hotaru pulled out her gun and planted it on the man's forehead; who had been leaning down to intensify his frown or glare, whichever it was. That didn't matter now, what did was that he was pale, and afraid, and the information would be given.

"Go straight ahead at this light and then t-take a left, you'll fine the street signs . . . 7th and 3rd sh-should be at the outskirts of t-town." Michael stuttered.

"Is that the only way?" Hotaru demanded.

"Or you could take a l-left here and then follow t-the signs, taking various turns, it's faster th-the other way though, be-because you don't have to t-turn so m-much."

Hotaru smiled and pulled the gun back into her pocket, bolting out the door. "Thank god that pathetic store had no surveillance cameras," Hotaru said as she slammed the door shut to her car, or the car she borrowed without asking.

"Okay, now I'll make it in time." Hotaru promised herself.

~*^*^*~

"We've lost him haven't we?" Kaiya asked as the car came to a halt in front of yet another dead end in the road. Kaiya sighed, mouthing the word as Trowa answered.

"Yes," Trowa said solemnly. Whether or not he was angry or frustrated, Trowa's monotone face betrayed no emotion by any means. It made Kaiya curious to whether or not Trowa didn't talk because of something that may have happened.

She knew Akiko hid behind a facade of humor because she never liked receiving pity from anyone. So if Akiko could appear carefree, people would leave her alone. Kaiya abided by her wishes, never pressing, as her friend never pressed the subject with her.

"Do you have the address in spite of everything?" Kaiya asked. She hadn't been the one to receive the paper with rushed and badly written handwriting, so she knew nothing of where it was.

Trowa nodded and pulled a paper out. He unfolded it and read the only words that held importance now, "Seventh and third avenue."

Kaiya frowned. There was no seventh and third avenue, it ended at Seventh Avenue and another set of streets began. "There's a possibility that what Heero found was a fake." She voiced.

"But we would have at least found Heero somewhere."

"Should we keep looking?"

Trowa nodded. "We don't really have a choice." He said.

Kaiya sighed. 'I hope we find something soon, Yuy could be in trouble. If the boy dies, we'd be one step behind Professor Tomoe, giving him a decent advantage.'

~*^*^*~

~*~Akiko's Dream~*~

"I'm sorry sir, but we don't have anyone that would like to, especially my daughter," Said the woman. She had long black hair, reaching above her thighs. Her eyes were teal, and despite the stranger at the door, she had a warm smile and caring eyes.

"Are you sure about that? It would be intentionally wise to except this offer." The man pressed. His hair was gray and uncombed, making him look older than he actually was. He was tall, thin, and had muscles protruding through his tight black shirt. His eyes were a menacingly colored blue.

Still, the woman shook her head, the warmth in her smile gone, her eyes cold. "I'm sorry sir, I do not want my daughter in your army, it doesn't matter how many times you ask me."

"But we didn't ask." The man pressed. "You don't want your daughter to end up like your husband, now do you?"

Fear gripped onto the woman and refused to let lose. She briefly remembered her husband. He had died during the war of AC 195. But he wasn't one of the soldiers who died in battle, he was assassinated for betrayal against OZ. She went to close the door but the man held it in place with his arm and foot.

"Let your daughter join," He ordered.

"Let me join what?" Someone asked as she came downstairs. "Mom, what's going on?"

"Nothing Akiko," Her mother reassured. "Now go back upstairs."

Akiko didn't buy it. She came down and appeared by the door. "Listen, whatever it is you want, the answers no." Akiko said simply. She opened the door and slammed it shut, surprising the man on the other side with her strength.

He muttered curses as he rubbed his foot, and Akiko smiled in satisfaction. She turned to her mother, who was pale. "Mom?" Akiko asked worriedly.

"I-it's nothing, I'm fine." Her mother lied, turning and walking back into the kitchen. But before she did, she said, "Akiko, pack your bags, you're going to stay with your aunt."

"Mom--" Akiko pleaded.

"Just go pack sweetie," Her mother said in a venomously soothing tone.

~~~

Akiko had packed and left for her aunts house, along with her good friend, Kaiya. They stayed at her aunt's house for a week, without a word from their parents. Outside, the day was dimly lit, the sun barely visible as it sunk under the horizon. Tiresomely, Akiko and Kaiya sat on the couch, watching TV.

An announcer blared on the TV suddenly, interrupting the show for a shocking news bullion. Both of the girls' eyes went wide with horror at what the newsman said. "--The town disappeared in a flash of light, only to reappear in ruins. No one survived, and the main cause is not yet known. Our sources, however, tell us that a nuclear warhead was exposed to it, and it went off this morning."

The announcer paused and footages were shown; rubble all around the town, dead bodies, ranging from infants to adults. Kaiya and Akiko had no time to mourn over their fallen city and loved ones when suddenly the door burst open.

Tears stinging her eyes, Akiko snapped her neck around and she saw the same man that had been at her house and scared her mother. "You!" She shouted. "You did this!"

Kaiya looked at the man in shock, he had been to her house, and her father had to throw him out because he didn't leave! "Son of a bitch!" She shouted.

Three men appeared behind him and he smiled. "Your parents brought this upon themselves. If they did as we asked and let you join us, they wouldn't have had to suffer the ultimate price. But now that doesn't matter, you two are coming with us."

He snapped his fingers and the three uniformed men grabbed the two girls. Akiko would have smirked, had she not been in so much pain. One of the three had grabbed her by the wrist. Using that to her advantage, Akiko twisted around, taking the man with her, and held his arm in a threatening position behind his back.

With only a slight hesitation, she pulled the arm up and the crack of bones breaking greeted her ears. The guard yelled in pain.

Suddenly, Akiko was hit in the back by someone else and then thrown to the couch. She yelped as the man with the broken arm pounced on her and held her neck. "You have no idea who your dealing with!"

"Enough!" the commander shouted. He surveyed the damage. One man had Akiko pinned to the floor, and two others held a restless Kaiya. "Drug them and lets leave, Professor Tomoe is impatient."

The man on top of Akiko placed a handkerchief over her mouth and nose, then in seconds, Akiko slipped into unconsciousness.

~~~

Only later, did she awake, having no recollection of anything ever happening. Implanted in her mind with the help of Professor Tomoe, was a fake past, one of which had the Gundams destroying her home and family. Likewise for Kaiya.

And when they awoke, upon hearing this, did they pledge their lives to working with Professor Tomoe. Only when ready, were they going to seek there revenge.

~*~End of Dream~*~

"Kiko!" She heard someone call her name.

Was that her name? She was confused, shaken. Where was she? She didn't know.

"Kiko, wake up, Akiko!" There was the voice again. With a moan, her eyes fluttered open. Hovering over her was a worried, yard-long braided teenager. "Welcome back, Kiko," He whispered, glancing around nervously.

"What? Duo . . ." Akiko groaned, lifting herself from the grass and rubbing her temples. "How long was I out?"

"I'd say half-an-hour. The tranquilizer they shot was pretty strong. You okay, didn't look like you were having a good dream." Duo said.

Akiko shook her head. "I don't know where that came from, it was real but I don't remember it happening."

"Great, so now two babes have amnesia." Duo muttered.

Akiko didn't reply. 'What was that?' She thought to herself. "Don't call me babe."

"I didn't call you a babe, I was addressing two unnamed people." Duo argued with a grin.

In spite of herself, Akiko laughed. Shaking her head, she stood groggily. "Come on, we gotta get the information."

She was on her knees when the former Deathscythe pilot pulled her down. He was frowning, and Akiko looked around. "It was a long half hour, Akiko. I think they know we're here."

"What's that mean?"

Duo shifted uncomfortably. "You kinda made some noise while you slept. That's why I asked if you had a nightmare. The two androids or whatever came looking and I had to run for a while. Security's probably twice as tough now."

"Damn," Akiko muttered. "Now what?"

"What else, we bust in." Duo said with a smirk. "Ami was right, I do come in handy."

Before Akiko could react, Duo had risen from his spot, pulling the girl along with him. He ran through bushes, dodging occasional tranquilizer shots. Akiko kept up with him through it all and she couldn't help but wonder how he knew where they were going.

"I had to run somewhere, so I got acquainted with the place," Duo answered as if reading her thoughts. He shrugged and stopped in front of a back door. "I was gonna wait till you came to, because I don't know my way around in there."

Akiko nodded and grabbed the doorknob. "It's locked, but it's a cheap lock. Must be the basement or something." She said, taking a hair pin from her hair. Kneeling with her face to the door, she stuck the pin in and fiddled around, until, finally, there was a click.

The door opened slightly. "Stay behind me," Akiko ordered. Duo was about to protest when Akiko cut him off, "You have no idea where anything is, remember?"

He sighed but nodded. Now the matter would get dangerous, and Duo silently promised that he wouldn't let anything happen to 'Kiko.' He didn't know why, but he felt a strange connection with her. "Whatever you say, Kiko. I'll cover you," He mumbled as Akiko led the way inside.

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END OF CHAPTER

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Author's Note: Hello! Sorry for the delay, but at least it is out. Anyways, thanks to those who have been reviewing. And I give a special thanks to SaturnActingChick who took the time to review ALL my chapters after she realized she didn't. ^_^; Heehee, that was thoughtful.

Review please! Next chapter should be out in 1 or 2 days.