Your Kind….

Chapter 13: Names

By: Jen "The Stampede" Motou

I stood with my arms crossed resting on the railing bar, as I starred into the eyes of the enemy machine; I was now capable of understanding just what it truly was- what it represent. I had stumbled upon the "truth" when I had gone to get more information, but was caught off guard by one of my compatriots and commander. I have had a lot of time to contemplate my next move my next words to say to my "roommate." However, things have just been –sticky- I couldn't say the words if I wanted to---wait, I did want to—More of I couldn't even utter them if there was a gun pointed to me, and it was life or death. The words ---they rolled off my tongue, but never made off of my lips which currently served as a sort of "flypaper."

So there I stood, starring up at the Strike, lost in it's mechanical eyes. "So he's your friend…your best friend." I wanted to say it so badly, but couldn't. It wasn't that I was mad, well maybe I was. I mean I wanted to know how they became friends, When, how long has he fought him, but mostly I wanted….to know if Athrun felt closer to him than me. Maybe I felt replaced, or shoved aside. Every since that pilot was brought aboard, everyone had begun acting strange. Athrun spent most of his time in the infirmary, or down on the launch deck helping the Maintenance workers with the Strike. Yzak seemed to be depressed and wouldn't talk to anyone. Dearka however seemed the same. I closed my eyes letting out a sigh; I headed to the Cafeteria, hoping to get this off my mind.

I sat down at an empty table when I got there, and took a drink. 'You're best friend? Why didn't you say anything……" I sighed again, closing my eyes. "Hey Nicol!" I heard a low voice call my name, and I turned to see Dearka walking my way. "I –I need---Can I talk to you?" He stuttered –which is not something Dearka normally did. "Sure…." I said a little unsure of what was to come as the blonde took a seat. He just stared at me for a moment before he blurted out. "God I can't take this anymore! Damn you Yzak! Nicol Do you know?!!!!!" "Know What?" I said raising a brow. His eyes glared at me, but then switched to more of a worried childish gaze. "A—About…..Athrun…." He mumbled looking away from me. "Oh…You know too I take it, about Athrun and that Pilot." His eyes shot back at me, a sign of relief in them . "Yeah…Yzak told me…" "Oh? Yzak Knows then too…" He nodded, signifying yes. "I see." I mumbled my eyes dropping to the table. Letting out a sigh I looked up at him. "So has anyone gone to Athrun to confirm if it's true or not?" Dearka's eyes fogged over with the most confused look I've ever seen. "Um…not that…I know of….Have you?" I snickered, and stood up. "No, so let's?" He had an unsure look upon his face, as he too, rose and we headed out of the room to go check the truth behind the rumor. As we neared my quarters, I stopped. "He's probably in the infirmary." Dearka hit himself in the forehead. "Duh! Of course he is!" he said as he changed direction.

We entered the infirmary to find only one nurse in the room. "Is he…" I started to ask but stopped when I heard, "Athrun is that you?" The voice sounded scared and weak; Young and frightened. "No, I don't know where Athrun is." I smiled as I walked up to the boy, trying my best to not intimidate him. I looked back to see the same grim look on Dearka. "Dearka…." I mumbled elbowing him, and he soon "Smiled" too. I sat down in the chair next to his bed, picking up the blanket as I sat down. I looked into his deep violet eyes, and strangely saw no trace of what you would consider a "soldier." It was more a "teenager-scared and caught in a place he didn't want to be." I smiled again, and started "My Name is Nicol Amarfi. Who are you?" His eyes slid away from mine at the question. "I seem to be asked that a lot lately. Does it really matter?" He said in a rather grim tone. I frowned at him, "I just asked your name." I said flatly and he looked back at me. "And you ZAFTs are just going to kill me anyways. Why bother learning a dead man's name?" I frowned again, this kid was extremely grim. As I went to speak, Dearka piped up. "Look Kid. I'm Dearka Elsmen. All we want is your name. And who said anything about killing you? We'd have to go through Zala anyways, and nobody wants to do that!" The brunette rolled his eyes and sighed. "I'm your prisoner right? Isn't that reason enough?" I could tell Dearka was getting frustrated, as he glared at him "Alright fine. If you won't tell your name, and you want to play hardball, we'll play hardball. You tell me you name kid, or I'll go find Zala and beat it out of him. I know I can get your name out of that Blue-Haired wimp, you call your best friend." Dearka finished rather smug, and as he finished I watched the pilot's eyes go wide. "I don't know what you're talking about." He said quickly looking away. I sighed, and Dearka let out a snort. "Ha! Like Hell! Come on, save Athrun some bruises, it's a name." I could tell this was going no where when he failed to look at us once more. "Please, Just your name. No one else knows but us, and to tell you the truth…I wouldn't be able to fight one of my friends." I stopped and heard him grunt and mumble something. Dearka smirked wider and crossed his arms. "Nope I don't have a clue what it's like to fight one of my friends. Good hearing kid, watch what ya say." With the young violet-eyed boy rolled over to look at us once more, glaring. "I if tell you my name will you go away?" Dearka laughed and I smiled. "I'm Tired leave me alone." I rested my hand on top of his gentled and looked into his eyes. "How about this. Now only will we leave, we'll go find Athrun for you, Ok?" His eyes had a slight sign of relief in them when I said that. "K---Kir---Kira Ya—Yamato" he choked out. "Well then Kira, we'd best go find Athrun…" I said rising to leave. As I opened the door I heard him speak. "I think I pissed him off….Athrun, he's mad at me…." My eyes widened at the statement. "Oh really?"

To be Continued….