A/N: I'm terrible! I'm so sorry about taking so damn long, guys! I'm really not liking how this is turning out either. It's taking me way too long to grab a usable computer, and I know the story may seem to be droning on right now, but it's because I need to make sure it stays in correct format. Thanks for reviewing, if there are any questions comments, flames (not having to do with the pairings of Zeches/Noin) please let me know. By the way, I'm open for requests on Fan fiction dealing with Non-Yaoi pairings, as soon as this Story comes to a stop. (More details later.) Thank you so much for ALL of your reviews, and if you have any questions having to do with ANY of the chapters, doesn't matter which one, let me know! I'm open for all!

By the way, one of my reviewers asked me if Duo Maxwell was ever going to make an appearance in this story. I'm sure he will, I just hope you like what I've got in mind. :)

ARIGATOU MINA-SAN!

Preventer Fire.

Chapter 9

"Fire had spread like plague, and the heat, even the smell seems fresh to me at times… As if I were still there… He had heard me just in time that night, and when I saw him it seemed as if I had seen an angel. He was beautiful, yes, but his strength and will to stand and fight, was all the more appealing to me. I felt as if we had prevailed over Estefan's evil rage and that nothing could stand in our way…"

His hand took purchase of the brass knob of the door, his eyes furious as it resisted turning. "Damn…" Zeches' glanced behind him, watching as the fire reached the top of the stair case a few feet away from him, before turning back towards the door as and idea came to mind. "Move away from the door, Hilde, you hear?!" Hilde nodded, and scooted against the far wall, moments later wincing as the door crashed to the ground in a heap of spiny wood. She cried out as gathered dust flew to later clear, his presence to her ever so comforting even if they still remained in danger.

Arctic eyes spotted her in a corner and rushed to her side, falling to his knees; his hands caressing her flushed face as his arms hugged her tightly in an equally desperate embrace. "Hush now, it's all right…" Hilde buried her face in his shoulder, "So brave… Zeches, the fire!" He turned and watched with the same look of disaster as the fire reached the deceased door, the small room he had been standing in now drowning in flames. Zeches aided Hilde as they both stood up, his eyes scanning for any way out…

"What he did then filled me with fright, but I couldn't protest against anything he carried out; and just forced myself to remain calm as he instructed me with elementary words…"

Zeches quickly fabricated a plan, knowing that one of them would under take a most perilous chance as he brought it into play. "Hilde, listen to me…" He stated quickly, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. "I need you to remain calm... and to trust me with all your heart…" He nodded, and hushed her before she could say much of anything, "Yes, out the window… Just hold on, and I promise nothing will happen..." He looked deep into her eyes, and allowed a small smile to come to his lips, "I promised her I'd bring you home…" Hilde felt her lip quiver as she hugged him and slammed her eyes shut, feeling him descend away from the window in order to give himself enough runway; enough to be able to burst through the thick glass. Then, as if time had soften its pace, Hilde cried out as Zeches rushed, turned and collided through the sharp glass only to plummet freely and slam firmly into the terrain beneath. "Hold on!"

He knew that the ride was far from being concluded, and quickly tucked Hilde's head beneath his chin with the last of his remaining strength as they bounced of the cool, sooty soil and commence to revolve. "Ah!" It was harsh at first, but it quickly faded after ever consecutive turn, until they halted entirely… Neither of them moved, the danger a mere crackle in the distance as one of them slowly opened her eyes…

Hilde remained still, feeling no absolute movement from Zeches' silent body, and preyed he was merely resting. She wouldn't dare look at him, afraid of what she might see, afraid of what she might have caused yet again… But, what was that? Hilde pressed her ear tighter against his breast, the thumping of his heart such a heavenly rhythm... A smile spread across her face as tears fell from her eyes, "We've made it… Thank heavens we've….finally escaped him…"

Precisely 2 days later…

"Well, hello there…" Her eyes slowly came into focus as the familiar angelic voice escaped its dreamlike quality, and when she saw her it only made the pain escape too…

The young woman slowly raised the corner of her full lips into a gentle smile as her hand came to encircle Noin's with a weak grip. The smile disappeared though, and the elder woman furrowed, "It's all right Hilde… You're safe now, don't worry about…" Hilde interrupted her, her voice as weak as the grips of her chilly hands, "He's dead… he burned in that house…Noin, and I'm sorry…" Noin shook her head and enveloped her into a warm surround, her fingers gliding through Hilde's now washed hair; the scent of lavender surrounding them. "Shhh, do not think of him… There's no need to mourn that devil's passing, not after what had erupted from his acidic disposition."

Hilde looked at her and sniffed; Noin's Vanilla scent as comforting as Hilde's Lavender scent was to her. She then felt herself being placed against the soft pillows of her bed, and smiled as Noin placed a kiss to her forehead, her nose nuzzling her softly before proceeding to exit. Then a question formed, a questioned that involved the health of a very dear friend. "Noin?" She turned, the full skirts of her gown swirling around her slightly, "Yes?"

"What ever happened to Milliardo Merquise?"