Author's note: I got new music from a friend (Rammstein, E Nomine (Yes! Mitternacht!), Freak on a Leash and lots of other pretty good stuff! XD ) Letsee, my bio teacher sucks (how come I always get crappy science teachers?) and I'm already crammed with school work. Oh, and I'm learning to type properly, so it's gonna be hell for me since I've memorized the keyboard for typing so much. Now, I have to learn the 'proper' way. Great.

Anyhow, I've somehow managed to get around to writing this chapter and I hope that it get's everyone all happy and all since school's over (at least for me…) and all!

Thanks to everyone who reviewed!

Love, Red Tail

ZERO Down

By: Lost-Remembrance (Red Tail)

Chapter Eight

Duo walked down the streets, hands shoved deep into his pockets as his eyes followed the cracks and feet walking by on the sidewalk. His eyes were dull, shoulder's sagged from lack of determination as he let a weary sigh escape from his lips. His world was gloomy—ever since he received Relena's phone call and they met at the office in the hospital.

Heero was gone.

The sun was shining, the world acting as if nothing was wrong at all with what was happening. Citizens continued along with their strolls in the beautiful streets of Earth that he found himself's wandering with only a piece of paper with a scribbled name from the 'good' doctor.

Haku. A nameless person somewhere in these streets—somewhere in the colonies and earth.

A child merrily laughed as she ran around with her friends, causing Duo to stop and look at the children playing in the park with mother's nearby. A wistful smile crossed his lips. Did these carefree people know that one of Earth, and the colonies, savior's and protector's was missing—possibly kidnapped? Did they know there might be another war?

A child's voice turned to a scream in his mind.

He shuddered when he closed his eyes to blink and saw Solo dying, the city crumbling and mobile suits like the boogeymen hiding under your bed out to get you. Only, these killed.

His hands crammed even more into his dark pants, not wanting to see the imaginary blood he woke up to every morning, covered in it—smeared on his hands, his face, and his heart…

There was the merry chime of a bell over the hustle and bustle of the streets of Italy. He turned his head, somehow feeling a sense overwhelm him. A woman walked out of the shop, a school student walking about two steps behind her before she slowed down and both walked side by side.

His eyes widened and his breath caught in his throat.

Heero…?

The woman turned, letting Duo see her profile—she was laughing and patting his friend—his best buddy—like there were no problems in the world. His eyes flared with rage and hatred. Here they were worry their hearts out—

Heero.

Duo didn't even notice that his feet were drawing himself towards the youth until he bumped into someone. He quickly mumbled a swift 'sorry' under his breath and continued his way through the crowd. His eyes were trained on Heero's unruly mop of hair.

Heero!

His hand reached out, meeting fabric, which he jerked sharply to turn to teen around. His eyes met a younger looking boy, staring at him. The eyes were the same as ever, only… there was confusion?

"Heero?"

The brown-haired boy didn't reply, simply frowned his eyebrows in confusion and suspiscion. The girl beside him, who had continued walking on, had stopped and realized that her companion was no longer beside him."Heero?"

'So it is him,' Duo thought as he continued to stare, hand still holding onto Heero's sleeve incase he decided to bolt.

"Where have you been!" Duo shouted in his face, ignoring the shocked look of the girl companion, who looked like she was reaching for something under her jacket. "Man, Relena's been—"

"Who are you?" Heero interrupted with a growl.

Duo stared, mouth hung open in shock.

TBC