9: inescapable past

[Author's note: Senator Gabrielle Shore is mentioned in chapter X (ten) of Questioning of battles]

There was a unbearable noise that resmbled someone's fingernails scratching a chalkboard and wouldn't stop, his ears began to wheathe with pain and he began to find that no matter how fast he ran toward them he would never get there in time. Just as the hight-pitched noise reached the breaking point it stopped just as quick as it began only to be replaced by unbearable heat that threatened to engulf him, burn him into nothing..... then silence. He was alone for the longest time and couldn't figure out why. Why was he alone and why was his body freezing from the inside and out?

He recoiled at the chilling temperatures but could not escape them, it followed him wherever he went. Was he running? No -- no he wasn't running ... that was impossible -- his body was immobile, his limbs frozen in one place, but why did his feel like he was running? He fought the chilling temperature until he could fight it no longer. He fell to the ground no strength left in his body, sweat rolled down his body like individual rivers of liquid.

He opened his eyes and found himself staring into space itself, a light began to form behind a looming figure. He stared upon it with fearful eyes as its eyes came to life, the figure outline was massive and bulky; a wielded a shield, its chest was strong and study and his face held the expression of merciless warrior. The figure's eyes flickered green on and off until it could no longer been seen in the heat of the light that gave it an outline.

The figure vanished into thin air, his eyes closed once more. When he opened them he found himself floating toward an enormous light source, his body was paralyzed in a strange posture, his arms were away from his sides in a position almost like he were gripping the handles of a motorcycle, his legs were bent slightly up and he back was hunched outward as though he had leaned over.

The light became brighter and a persons face came into view; their eyes reflected worry and concern but he couldn't remember who still lived that would worry about him. The thing that caught his attention particularly was the figure's hair, its color reminded him of heat and strangely enough an orange..... but he couldn't put his finger on who he knew with that kind of hair. He could hear her speaking in a soft tone to him but he could not respond his lips wouldn't oblige to his commands. The light had reached a point where it obscured his vision, the numbness in his body was fading quickly and his mind was finding itself. Yes, he remembered who he was he didn't know where they were but he knew the girl in front of him.

His eyes jared themselves open letting in the soft glow of tracklights above him, he scanned his surrounding area; the walls were made of metal, they held a greenish tint to them. His eyes darted toward the slightly pale face looming over him as he sense also became active. He could her fingers brushing themselves through his spiky bangs and he was grateful for her presence beside him.

He could not recall how long he had been out all he was worried about the her well being and if he was missing limbs. Mariemaia's pale blue eyes brightened considerably when she took notice of Jin studying her face, she cracked a weak smile. "Are you all right?" She asked. "Never better...," Jin replied placing his hand firmly against the cold ground. Mariemaia who resided on her knees scooted back letting him sit himself up, she noticed he was looking around as if he didn't know his surroundings, as if he were out of his mind.

She couldn't blame him, even she didn't know where they were, it certainty wasn't the cabin. Jin placed his hand on his neck and began to rub it. "Why didn't you run like I told you?" He asked, his voice was returning to its cold demeanor. Mariemaia shook her head, she did not want to fight with him again not after what happened them. "I could leave you. It would be cowardly----- besides where was I to go? They problem would have caught me eventually," Mariemaia replied. Jin scoffed.

"I don't want to get into another fight with you Jin." Jin glanced in her direction and shrugged. He placed his hands against the wall metal wall and pulled himself up off the ground, immediately the blood began to rush to limbs and brain. Jin winced at the throbbing in his head that recently developed, he pressed his forehead against the cold surface of the wall to relieve the pain. Mariemaia followed suit but remained in the same spot she was, this prison was an enclosed area and he could throw a tantrum on her if she made a wrong move.

Of that she was certain. Jin's onyx blue eyes shifted toward her and found that he couldn't help but crack a smile, she was much to patient with him and it became clear to him that she wasn't going to leave him alone until she got what she wanted: his friendship perhaps? He wasn't sure. Mariemaia's eyes narrowed in confusion she fidgeted under his gaze and blushed beet red. Jin closed his eyes and slumped against the wall, he slid down slowly on his own accord until he was in a crouched position just as the door to their prison opened, Mariemaia jumped back when two mercenaries came marching into the room and a woman followed in after them.

Her hair was a flaming red, redder than Mariemaia's, she was tall and wore a black blouse and jeans that covered her thick boots. Jin glanced up at her in question as his headache escalated. "I take it your Margaret Cypher," He began calmly. The woman grinned widely and nodded. "That I am, but I'm sorry to say that I didn't come in here to reminisce in the past with you," Margaret sighed pulling out a weapon that resembled a pistol. "Then why are you here?" Jin's eyes narrowed in suspicion, his stomach began to twist itself in knots when she aimed the gun toward him. Margaret smirked and fired on Jin. The teenager fell back on his side from the impact of bullet he grunted in pain bringing his hand up to his neck; she had fired on him where the dart inserted into his neck.

Mariemaia attempted to rush to his side but was held back by a man she hadn't noticed was inside the room. Jin pulled himself up from the ground his chest heaved in pain as he fought to stay conscious. "Wha--- what the hell did you do----- that f-f-for??" Jin stammered taking another deep breath. "That was no bullet you shot me with..... I'm not dead." Margaret winked at him reaching into her blouses' pocket, she revealed a white bottle labeled in Japanese, Jin's eyes dropped as he slowly began to loose consciousness.

Margaret noticed he was having a hard time reading so she decided to explain it to him. "Its the latest drug for treating amnesia of all kinds. Its called Cetus, and its purpose is to stimulate and to mend the damaged parts of your mind. Its still in the test runs so their might be some side affects like monetary pain, loss of breath, and seizure." Mariemaia stared back Jin then at the man that was holding her in his grasp. Of all the rotten luck in the world, I had to be a guinea pig for a madwoman...... Jin's body suddenly went ridged as he fought to keep his mind focused on everything else but pain, his eyes shifted toward Mariemaia who noticed the confusion in his eyes.

He fell back on his side he felt the untested drug running through his veins; his headache became more like migraine he clutched the sides of his head as the pain increased to that of torture. His stomach lurched, his muscles stiffened and his heart rate began to slow down. The next thing he knew he was thrashing about on the floor attacking some unknown enemy, he couldn't cry out for help, his throat closed up only letting out a part of his scream.

He was oblivious to the world around him. Margaret ordered the two men grab the thrashing boy and take him, Mariemaia buried his face in Ralph's jacket unable to watch Jin writhing in pain. Ralph offered her comfort she did not refuse. "Take him to mobile suit hangar, his surprise his waiting for him," Margaret ordered stepping out of the room. The two men nodded and grabbed the Korean by his legs and arms. They proceed to carry him out of the room. Ralph watched with uncertain eyes as the two men carried the thrashing teenager out of the room before shifting his gaze toward Mariemaia who stared up at him with expectant eyes. To Ralph is seemed as though she was looking into his very soul, he felt her grip his jacket in an almost desperate way.

"Please don't let them hurt Jin..... he's done nothing," She pleaded. "I know you not a bad man." Ralph nodded and pulled her away from him, he kneeled down to her level with a look of regret and pity. "You remind me of my sister," Ralph chuckled brushing back Mariemaia's damp bangs. "I'll do my best to make sure no harm comes to your friend. That's a promise." With that said Ralph rushed out of the prison and shut the door behind him leaving Mariemaia alone with only her hope that Ralph would keep his word. She fell to her knees.

When Hilde awoke she felt as though every bone in her body was broken into tiny pieces, but then she'd always had a vidid and wild imagination so she was unsure of her physical status. Her hair was wet with moisture, it stuck to her face like it was plastered onto it, she lifted her head and stared upon darkness; there was nothing to be seen. She could hear her harsh breathing but there was something stranger about her posture..... her arms they weren't ... they weren't around Duo's neck! Hilde stared down at snow and rubble that was beneath her and she immediately pushed herself up from off her stomach with little effort. She planned to stand up straight but her head collided with a more rubble above her Hilde fell to her knees feeling around frantically for Duo, her heart beat wildly in her chest as she crawled across jagged parts of broken stones covered in snow shouting Duo's name.

Her aquamarine eyes began to water the deeper she went there was no trace of Duo anywhere which meant he was dead----- Duo had died protecting her. Hilde slumped to the ground hands and all her mind was in an utter state of shock, her body shook with the realization that Duo was gone there no getting him back. "Oh God what've I done.....? What did I do to get him killed?" She sobbed loudly not caring if the entire foundation of rocks above her came down. There was no answer but it wasn't like Hilde was expecting one, her lifted her snow covered glove and whipped her nose with it.

This trip had turned into a living nightmare she wouldn't wake up from. She lifted her head up the spike of light that shined through the cracks of the stone and began to sob uncontrollably, her shoulders shook from the tremors her sobs created. "Help!" She cried loudly. "SOMEONE HELP ME!! HEERO? DUO!!" Hilde slammed her fist against the stone wall in rage fall to the ground in spite of herself. She propped her head against the back of her hand trying to get a hold of her breathing amongst her fit of hiccups. She fell on her side letting her legs fall out from under her hiccuping more so than she was crying. Silence filled her ears blocking everything else out, there was nothing left to go on living for besides her friends, but even then after she told (if they ever found her) about Duo they too would be the same as she; hollow on the inside and.....

Shiffffff.... shiffff......

Hilde's hiccups suddenly ceased at the sound of something moving behind her. Her muscles stiffened at thought of it being a creature that lived below the ground that crumbled beneath her and Duo's feet, it might want to eat her. Moving both hands from underneath her head and stomach she placed them firmly against the ground, her elbows pointing upward. The German teenager pushed herself up slowly turning herself around toward the origination of the sound, there was an unexplored part of the cave-in that she hadn't been through yet.

[Shiifffffffffff....... shiffff...] Unconsciously Hilde immediately crawled toward the part of the cave-in with caution, her hands shifted through the snow as she ventured into the darkest part of the area, there was no sound whatsoever inside the small hole making Hilde pause at the sound of the movement. But the 17-year-old continued onward without any qualms about being killed by a wild animal, the one person she cared for the most was de---- [shifff... shifff....shiff...] Hilde jumped at the sound before mentally telling herself that it was nothing to be afraid and to her get a hold of herself. Hilde ventured deeper into the darkness with no idea where she was truly going trusting only her gut feeling that lead her by the hand through the despair that the dark threaten to enclose around her like a sheet over her body, Hilde began to feel around on the ground for anything that wasn't snow or stone.

Her hand slapped against something soft with an almost human touch to it, lifting her and up she used her teeth to pull the glove off her hand. When she did it her hand was sticky with moisture, covered in sweat created by her glands, she placed her hand in the spot where she remembered she had it and touched the object again: It had a soft silky texture to it, there was a black band separating it from the rest of whatever it was. Hilde gathered it into her grasp and with mighty tug she yanked the object toward her, a breathless cry of pain is what followed. Hilde dropped the silky object in surprise as she listened to the pain riddled pants of a person, the noise coming from movement came against and Hilde's hopes were rekindled in that same moment.

"Duo!" She crawled quickly through the darkness until her hands ran up two unmistakable strong legs in tattered pants. Hilde's hand traveled up the American's leg until she found his hand, she grasp it in her grip and held onto it for dear life until the same cry of pain emitted from his mouth again causing the German teenager to worry. Carefully she came up to his side where she presumed he was wasn't injured and placed a hand on his lower torso, Duo automatically flinched. His eyes snapped open blurred by the dark along his tears his head turned in every direction as he searched for his companion. "H-Hilde....?" Duo whispered hoarsely. "I'm here Duo," Hilde whispered placing a hand on his face. She felt him relax slightly at her touch leaning his face against her palm. Duo began to laugh but it sounded empty and rough. "Some ride, eh?" He groaned. Hilde rolled her eyes letting out a shuddering breath. "I thought you had left me this time."

Duo chuckled ruefully grimacing at the pain he felt, there was no words to explain the pain it was something completely new to him. "Shinig---- Duo Maxwell doesn't die without fight," He joked attempting to move his arms. Hilde's ears perked up in concern when she felt Duo try to move his arms, he cried out unintentionally at the sound of a left' arm's bone snapping pricing through his skin. Hilde's heart throbbed uncontrollably as she tried her best to comfort him but ended up causing him more discomfort by pacing her hand on his injured torso.

Duo began to pull away from Hilde biting down on his bottom lip to keep from crying out, he fell back unable to gather any strength to do so. "Duo are you all right?! What's wrong?!" Hilde cried out panicking. Duo shook his head placing his head against her forearm which she had placed beside it. "I--- think I might have overdone it this time Hilde [winces] my arm is broken," He whimpered with a non-hysterical laugh. Hilde crawled out from the small space she wedged herself in and gripped Duo's legs, he lifted his head up looking up at her although she couldn't any of his actions. Hilde did not bother to explain her plan to him she pulled him away from the wall he was against in an attempt to look him over.

Duo groaned from time to time but he held in the agony he felt from his injuries, once Hilde had him out of the corner he was in she proceeded to survey his injuries. She did not like what she saw; his face harbored small cuts above his eyes and below his neck, his jacket was torn several places, his jacket was covered in dried blood, and his arm was twisted in the most worst way imaginable. Hilde's hand flew over to her mouth while Duo's eyes remained closed for reasons unknown. "Duo you arm is worse than just broken," She quivered lowering herself to the ground unable to count on her legs to remain strong. She crawled over to his side and placing her hand on the zipper of Duo's jacket, the American opened his eyes he stared at her in question as she began to pull the zipper down away from the top. "What are you doin'?" He choked out resting his head on the cold ground.

Hilde said nothing she unhooked the zipper from its place and opened his jacket, she grasped his arm that wasn't broken then gently pulled it out of the sleeve of the jacket placing it on his stomach. Duo watched her eyes avert toward his mangled arm and immediately saw the despair and confusion in her eyes, Hilde's shoulder's raised slightly as she moved her arm toward his right one. Duo said nothing for he knew he was going to snapped at if he thought of voicing his protest; he glanced over at his arm momentarily. His hand appeared like it had been twisted backward too far and his arm was bent upward pointing upward (much like a sign a cyclist uses to signal cars). He watched as she placed her hands on the edges of her jacket slowly pushing toward his broken arm, he watched Hilde pause her hesitant arms. Hilde pulled her last glove off her hand then ordered Duo to bite down onto it, Duo did as he was told but the uncertainty in his eyes made Hilde wonder if he was unsure if she knew what she was doing.

"Don't worry I learned how to set a broken arm back when I was a training to be a soldier for OZ," She assured him placing her hands on his arm. Duo swallowed roughly when twang of pain traveled down his back. The next few moments flew pass in a blur for Maxwell, Hilde was constantly hesitating and reassured him that she knew that she was doing, to him it sounded like she was trying to comfort herself more so than him. The next thing Duo knew his bones were making horrible noises and he had bit down onto Hilde's glove while screaming out in agony.

Gabrielle stared at the platinum blonde in question, she folded her arms across her chest in an almost indignant way staring back at Zechs with her brown eyes. Zechs remained firm as she studied his crystal like eyes before speaking. "Why do you mean?" She asked dully. Zechs mirrored her posture folding his arms across his chest with a sort of pout-ish expression, this woman reminded him much of his sister who wouldn't back down because someone glared at her which annoyed him a great deal.

"What is here at the Preventer's HQ that could possibly interest a Senator?" Zechs said rudely. Gabrielle narrowed her eyes at him appalled by his attitude, she was a senator! You'd think he would have a little more respect and acknowledge her as one, then again it was nice be treated like a person than an object. "I'm a friend of Lucrezia Mr. Merquise since she graduated from Lake Victoria," Gabrielle explained. "I'm not sure why she never mentioned me to you. But your impression on me doesn't make me wonder why though." Zechs sneered his temper reaching new heights, Noin caught sight of an argument brewing between the two and quickly made her way over to them stepping in-between Zechs and Gabrielle.

Zechs was surprised by Noin's sudden appearance in front of him but her stern look when she turned to look at him told him that she was not pleased with his attitude at the least. Zechs blinked for a moment staring at Noin through his long blonde bangs before surrendering to her perching gaze. His shoulders slumped his arms became undone returning back to his sides. Noin smiled appreciatively and turned her gaze back to Gabrielle. "I'm sorry about that Gabrielle, he's cranky when he's tired, you'll have to forgive him," Noin sighed with a smile.

Gabrielle stared for a moment before forcing a smile on her face, she'd forgive anyone for Lucreiza's sake; she'd hate to lose her friendship over a silly squabble. "I'll forgive him," She sighed placing her hands on her hips. Noin nodded simply before leading Zechs out of the room. The blonde watched her close the door of her office knowing what was to come next; a lecture. Noin turned abruptly to Zechs with a sorta of scowl that seemed to be fighting against a look of helplessness. "What?" Zechs said obliviously. Noin wanted to strangle him at the very moment but maintained her control.

"What is wrong with you Zechs? I know you must be tired but don't go and lash out of Senator Gabrielle because of it!" Noin paused, confusion crossing her face for a brief moment. "Why'd you come to my office anyway?" Zechs' eyes averted sideways almost too quickly for Noin's taste, he fingers fiddled about with the ends of his dress shirt underneath his preventer's jacket and his mind seemed to wander. Noin walked up to him she placed a hand on his shoulder snapping him out of his daydream, Zechs' eyes wandered to her face they held the contemplative look about them and it made Noin's navy blue eyes widen. "You came to apologize for kicking me out your office didn't you?" Noin teased poking him in the chest.

Zechs rolled his eyes cursing himself for being so obvious. "You did!" Noin exclaimed laughing. Zechs' pride was wounded; he folded his arms across his chest once more while Noin laughed at him, he found no humor in this at all. Noin stopped laughing, she wrapped her arms around his neck with a playful smile. "Don't be mad, I think its' nice you came to apologize," She said with a chuckle. Zechs' eyes darted back toward her. "Its only nice because I'm the one apologizing," He grumbled. Noin nodded making a silly face. "True, but I'll make that apology worth it once this situation is handled with," She said mysteriously.

Zechs grunted knowing what she had planned for him, a night on the town and dinner at a restaurant, this only occurred when they got into a fight, so he tried his best not to argue with her. "Your paying," He uttered. Noin frowned her shoulders slumping. "No fair, but I'll have to agree to that otherwise I'll have to drag you out of the apartment because you don't wanna pay," Noin sighed unwrapping her arms from around his neck turning toward her office door. Zechs nodded in agreement before heading down the hall toward the mess hall, Noin watched him leave before reentering her office where Gabrielle awaited her.

Heero came to an abrupt halt almost falling over, he gazed upon the destruction before him as he bought to catch his breath, burning trees laid on the ground as did dirt brought up by whatever had done this (something told him it was Epyon). Wufei who was trailing behind came to stop his mouth hung open in aghast at the destruction and turned to stare at his comrade. Heero bent over a little too far as he tried to undo the buckles on his feet, once he was done he stepped onto the snow leaving his snowboard behind as he walked toward the creator that was two inches away from them, Wufei followed after him thinking no one could have survived a brutal attack from a mobile suit such as Epyon, the merciless machine was worst than Zero.

Most of his raven hair had come undone from the pony tail he had placed it in, it didn't bother him entirely it get on his nerves at times. Heero's Prussian blue eyes wavered as he stopped at the edge of the creator and looked down into the seemingly endless void, somewhere inside him he knew there was a possibility that Hilde and Duo were dead but he couldn't let himself think that way; he survived the self-descrution of Wing Gundam, who's to say Duo can't survive a nasty fall into a hole, let alone Hilde?

Heero groaned as his feelings battled against his good judgment, he edged toward the end of hole with a look of uncertainty. "What are you doing?" He heard Wufei ask. Heero looked toward him in question, Wufei stepped off his snowboard shoving his hands into his jacket-pockets. "They're as good as dea---." Heero cut him off with a glare. "They're not dead," He said darkly turning his back to the hole. Wufei watched carefully as Heero lowered himself down into the hole his face was full of false hope and concern. "Oi, why'd I follow him?" He grumbled irritated. Wufei followed after Heero grumbling to himself over how soft he had gotten since the wars, Heero paid no attention to his friend as he continued down the side of the wall.

He fount it hard to grip the wall with gloves on his hands and he wondered what possessed him to even climb down in the first place? Heero gritted his teeth as he pulled his foot out a small space in the wall, he and Wufei continued to descend down into the hole for what seemed like hours to them, they began to wonder if there was even a bottom to this creator. Heero glanced up at the top of the hole with a look disbelief; the circular top appeared so small to him now he slowly began to doubt his friends were alive.

What he needed was some sort of sign that they were alive because he hope was fading. Heero hesitantly continued downward when a far off scream reached his and Wufei's ears, the Japanese teenager's ears twitched as he listened for it again but there nothing but silence afterward. "Did you here that?" Wufei said. Heero nodded and the two continued down the wall until they reached the bottom (finally). They stood on the side of rubble surveying the area carefully; the space of the area considerably large despite its small appearance, it looked as though there were no other exits Duo or Hilde could have fallen in besides the bottom.

Heero bent down and pressed his ear against the rubble Wufei stood back and watched with curiosity. Heero's ears twitched again when he heard a muffled groan of pain and a barely audible sound of someone talking, rising up from the ground Heero placed his hands beside his mouth, Wufei's eyes narrowed in question as he watched Heero's face lightened up. The next thing Wufei heard was Heero shouting Duo and Hilde's names at the top of his lung. He cringed as his eyes darted around the space, the foundation around them appeared to be sturdy and was not distributed by Heero's booming voice.

Heero did not get a response so he pounded his foot against the jagged rubble he stood upon several times before stopping to listen for any noises. A moment of silence befell them before a knocking noise below them was heard, Wufei blinked in disbelief at what he was hearing before taking notice of Heero tossing rocks aside. "What are you doing?" Wufei asked. "Did you come down here to spectate or help me out?" Heero asked tossing more rubble aside. Wufei stopped to think for a moment; he wondered if there was some slight chance that there was a possibility that he believed that the two were alive. After a minute of thinking Wufei walked over to Heero and began to help him out.

Heero heard the knocking again only this time it was louder and more desperate than before, the two Asians tossed rubble aside at a quicker pace. As they were digging they were suddenly met by a hand coming up through a small hole Heero watched as it felt around the area. "Hello? Is there anyone there? I need help!" Wufei recognized it as Hilde's voice, he turned to Heero who wore a faint smile on his face, the Japanese teenager grabbed her hand and tugged on it. He felt Hilde's hand try to wriggle out of his grip but he wouldn't have it.

"Hilde, its Heero!" He called down to her as loud as he could. Hilde's hand relaxed slightly but not entirely. "Heero thank God! I need help with Duo he's hurt," Hilde shouted back. "Your over .........exaggerating Hilde.... I'm not 'that' hurt, just ......achy is all...," Duo's voice sounded muffled and distant and his sentences drifted in and out. Heero did not bother to ask what part of Duo's body was injured he and Wufei began to move the remaining rubble that separated them from Hilde, once they were done they stared upon an in the crumbled stone big enough to for Hilde and Duo to get through but they need help if they were going to get them up and out of the hole.

Heerp turned to Wufei and stared knowing they were thinking the same thing. Wufei started to rise from his knees but Heero stopped him with a firm grip on his shoulder, Wufei let him push back down on his knees for particular reason. "You stay here, I'll go get help," Heero said in his usual monotone voice. Wufei shrugged folding his arms with a look of indifference. "Be my guest," He said tiredly. Heero did not reply to that comment instead he quickly made his way back up the wall with grace and speed. Wufei had forgotten about his two stranded friends beneath him as he watched Heero in awe a smile gracing his features. Perfect in all ways of skill but he still carries the flaw that make's us all human and also imperfect; emotions, mistakes, guilt, and regret. Wufei closed his eyes and pondered on what little time he had.

Hilde fell back beside Duo and examined his sweat drenched face with concern. She had managed to set his arm back into place but at a price. It had zapped all the strength he had left in him, she noticed fatigue was slowly taking its toll on him from the loss of blood. Hilde pulled his jacket off his body to relieve him of the heat that plagued him and to check on his injured torso, to her dismay it was infected and she was unsure how long they had been trapped down below. It could have been hours. Plenty of time for an injury such as Duo's to become infected.

Hilde whipped his sweat-drenched face as dry as she could without causing him any discomfort, despite everything that happened Duo seemed to remain strong no matter what happened and he protected. A feverish smile graced the braided teenager's features bringing joy to Hilde's aquamarine eyes. "Where's.... Heero?" Duo asked opened his eyes slightly. Hilde looked up over to where she was previously standing before shrugging. "I think he went to get help," She began shakily. Duo relaxed as she stroked his hair gently. "Don't worry Duo..... we'll be out of here in no time." He smiled to himself and just nodded.



[TBC]