Jungle Rot

By: Wildfire Sky

Well, here's the next chapter for you, and, as a pleasant surprise, it's about twice as long as my other ones. I know because I wrote twice as much…and I know that because I measured. Anyways, this is the second to last chapter of "Jungle Rot". In other words, there will be no more. But never fear, as soon as I complete my other works, I shall return! Await my coming!

But until then, enjoy and remember to R&R like a good reader should!

Jungle Rot

Chapter Eleven

Leonardo stood in the muddy jungle floor, his eyes turned upwards and squinting through the rain at the large airplane tail jutting from where it was buried in the ground. His flashlight beam moved over the jagged remains, illuminating what was left of it. It looked almost skeletal with most of the metal ripped away, exposing the metallic bones beneath. Vines and leaves clung to it, no doubt from crashing through the trees; a large jungle tree stood bent beneath it, the thick, large thing the only object keeping the tail from being further sucked into the muck. Leonardo seriously regretted that he could get no closer, but reaching the tail was impossible now. After all, there aren't many who would risk venturing into quicksand in order to retrieve a box. Roberto stood next to him, also staring up at the tail, not caring for the torrential rain cascading around them. His rifle slung over one shoulder, Roberto turned towards Leonardo.

"What now?"

Leonardo sighed, scratching the back of his head. "There's no way in hell we can reach it. That quicksand would pull us in before we went five feet." He cursed again. "If we don't get that flightlog, everything will be ruined!" Everything was in the flightlog…everything that they'd done in order to bring down the plane. It would show the pilots deliberately flying into the storm's path, even after being warned over the radio by ground teams. It would show the pilots dumping most of the fuel from the tank before the first hit was even made. It would show the pilots overriding the emergency auto-landing the plane had tried to make. And, it would show the communication link between the pilots and an unknown number moments before take off…a number the Preventers could easily locate.

Sighing again, Leonardo turned away from the plane's tail. "Where is Massimo?"

"Bringing Dorlain and her bodyguard. Why?"

Leonardo's mind was working. There might still be a way to retrieve the box at no risk to his life. An acid smile crossed his face as his eyes made out three slow moving forms coming towards them through the jungle, Massimo's huge form easily recognizable. Aiming his light towards them, he could see Dorlain struggling to support her bodyguard as he stumbled along, Massimo directly behind them. It irked him the neither the Vice Foreign Minister nor her bodyguard were bound by a leading rope, but then again, judging by their conditions, running would be a waste of time. They came to a stop in front of Leonardo, Relena still trying to support the heavy weight of her guard as he sunk to the jungle floor, his breathing labored. The Vice Foreign Minister had her bound hands on the boy's arm, helping him to stay upright. He had his eyes closed, concentrating on breathing, a small line of bloody drool dripping through his lips.

"I'll going to make a deal with you, guard," Leonardo said, staring down at them with less than compassion. "And I'm sure it's one that might interest you. We have a small problem that only you can solve, so I'm going to have to recruit you into our merry band for just a moment." Leonardo gestured over his shoulder at the tail. "Do you see that? That, my dying friend, is the tail of the very airplane you and Miss Peacecraft were in just days ago. Now, there is something very important to me inside of that tail and I want you to get it."

Relena glared up at him, her eyes suspicious. "What's wrong with your legs?"

Leonardo laughed softly. "I, madam, have no desire to go anywhere near quicksand." His grin widened at the shocked look on her face. "Did you really expect it to be some easy task? Come now. We're your killers…making your last few moments as miserable as possible is my job." Leonardo turned back to Heero. "Of course, just because I'm asking doesn't mean you have any choice in the matter. Do what I say and I'll shoot you in the head, and you'll have a nice quick death. Fight me, and I'll leave you out in there to watch as I make your girlfriend suffer before you drown. It's your choice."

Heero took in what he was saying with nothing less than extreme bitterness, his hands digging into the sludge in anger. This man was a bastard, son of a bitch through and through. Unfortunately, he was a smart bastard. Heero would cut out his own eyes before watching her suffer because of his decisions…

But haven't you been doing that already?

Heero's eyes shot open. He had been making her suffer…for so long now he pushed her away and tried to ignore the pained look on her face. Every night he went to bed, his mind clogged with images of her hurt expressions and every night he drove them from his head. His own life had been miserable because of the decisions he'd made, yet he never acknowledged it…never wanted to. Even more pathetic was now, on the brink of death, he was beginning to realize all his wrong doings and foolish actions…it almost felt like payback for being an idiot.

"Bodyguard." Leonardo's voice cut through his thoughts. "Time and patience is something I'm a little short on right now. Make your decision or I'll make it for you."

Relena clutched his arm tighter. "Heero, don't do it…" she stared at his face. "For God's sake, you don't have to do this. We both know I'm dead anyways, so it's just not worth it."

Leonardo glared. "That's what you say now until I start using my knife to carve designs in that pretty little body of yours."

"Shut-up!" Relena shouted. "You sick bastard, why can you people just leave us alone? Why are there always people out to destroy peace?"

"You're so naïve, Dorlain." Leonardo shot back. "There is no such thing as peace! Only stupid little girls have thoughts of happiness, peace, and frilly ponies. You're a woman, damn it, and you ought to know better. Peace is a word, not a thing. Until you can give everyone whatever they like, there will still be murders, robberies, rapes, assaults, abuse, perversion, hate…every terrible thing that can and will happen to every person on this planet." He shook his head. "I know first-hand what breaking the so-called 'peace' can do…" he sighed, his eyes hardening. "I'm not going to sit here and discuss such trivial things with you, Vice Foreign Minister. I choose not too. Bodyguard, your answer please."

Heero's eyes searched out Relena's. Her beautiful, sea-blue eyes…it was like a gift to him. Something for him to hold on to if he didn't make it out of here alive. Should he rot in Hell for all eternity, at least he'll have this to give him some semblance of peace.

"Bodygu--"

"Fine." Heero growled, noting the panicked look on Relena's face. He gave her a tiny smile, eyes soft as he leaned close. "Gomen-nasai…"

Leonardo blinked, his face scrunching in confusion. "Go…gom-what? Damn you, speak English!" He grabbed the collar of Heero's shirt, forcing him to his feet and nearly dragging Heero towards the quicksand pool. "Massimo!" The big man came over with a rope, handing it to Leonardo. The Italian looped the rope through Heero's back belt loop, tying it securely with a small tug and speaking as he talked. "There's a small box inside the tail near the base of it. It might have been dislodged, but at this point that's your problem, not mine. Find it and bring it back. Don't, and I swear to God, I'll blow her head off."

Heero looked back at Relena. Even standing in the rain, her hair matted down, clothing soaked, and body muddy, he was the most beautiful, exotic thing he'd ever seen. Damn it, his sacrifice would be worth it if only she had a few more moments.

"Get going." Leonardo ordered, giving a hard shove. Heero stumbled slightly before catching himself and limping towards the tail. From the moment his feet hit the quicksand, he could feel its powerful suction on his body. Taking only a few steps, the firm ground suddenly fell away and he pumped his arms trying to stay afloat. Well, this was a great idea…

"Don't worry bodyguard!" Leonardo called out over the rain, "We have a good grip on the rope, so you won't drown yet. Keep moving!"

Heero kicked his feet and moved his arms, his body slowly making it closer and closer to the tail that was only fifteen feet from the solid shore. It was taking so long, and even in this short amount of time, his entire body was drained of energy. There was a thick branch jutting from the goop and he made a reach for it, his hand outstretched. Suddenly he was jerked back, the branch just falling out of his grasp. He heard Relena's protest out over the rain.

"What the hell is your problem?"

"We don't have time for rest! He must keep moving. Do you hear that bodyguard? Move your ass!"

Heero began moving again, but with each movement, he sunk deeper and deeper. Soon he was gagging and sputtering as the liquid sand began to surge up around his face. It clogged his nose and ears, flowing constantly into his mouth in small waves. He wouldn't make it to the tail…he'd be sucked under before he would be able to touch it. It was a death he never imagined could happen to him…pulled under by the force of gravity and sand rather than a bullet. It almost seemed degrading, and he refused to die without some honor! The tail was only a few more feet; he could make it if he tried. As another wave of sand entered his mouth, Heero spat viciously and with a firm grit of his teeth, heaved his body forward, hands outstretched and searching. His heart hammered as he groped around, his fingers touching nothing but liquid sand. The sand was pulling him deeper and deeper into its pit. He took a final breath as the sand flowed over his mouth and nose, his hand still moving sluggishly. Please…

Then, he found it. His hand thumped against a piece of metal jutting from the partially submerged tail. Grabbing at it, he pulled himself forward, bringing his foot up to balance on the metal and heave himself free of the confining muck. He wrapped his arms around the exposed tail, his cheek against the rain slicked metal. If he wasn't so exhausted, he would have kissed it as passionately as he would Relena. He remained there, using the metal to support him as he caught his breath. The pain in his side was all but forgotten in this near death experience. Now, he needed to get the box and get the hell back to safety.

Snap!

Heero's heart nearly stopped as the entire tail shifted, sinking deeper into the quicksand. He cursed softly, his eyes shutting tight. His extra weight must have disrupted whatever was keeping the tail from sinking in the first place. The light plopping of bubbles reached his ears as the air pockets within the tail began to surface and pop. Oh shit shit shit!

Heero leaned his head inside the large tail, his eyes scanning for the black box Leonardo wanted. He'd helped the enemy before in tasks, but for some reason, this time it left a bitter taste in his mouth. Now that the war was over, he shouldn't be doing this…he should be helping terrorists get away with their crimes, especially as a Preventer now. It was his job to take people like them down and disrupt whatever plans they had. Heero grit his teeth and reached into the sandy muck, searching blindly for the box.

"Hurry up bodyguard!" Leonardo yelled over the rain. "You're taking much too long!"

The plane was still shifting, slowly dragging Heero closer and closer to the sandpit. He looked around wildly, his sharp eyes hindered by the darkness and rain that surrounded him. Pulling his hands from the muck, he gripped the metal skeleton angrily. Where the hell was it? Did it fall out during the crash? There was a very good possibility that the box was already lost to them…

Heero turned, glaring through the rain at the huddled forms of those on shore. "It's not here!"

Ka-ping!

Heero jerked to one side, his arm coming up to protect his face from the ricochet of the bullet.

"Get in there and find that flightlog you dumb bastard! Don't think I'm joking about your girlfriend here, I'll kill her!"

Cursing Heero leaned back inside, and then paused in shock. So that was it…in all the confusion and worry, he'd completely forgotten on key factor. The location beacon was inside the flightlog. The beacon was activated only in the event of a plane crash and housed safely inside the near indestructible black flight box, it was impossible for it to be damaged or destroyed…or deactivated. He wanted to slam his head against the side of the plane. So that's how they'd found them so quickly…they were searching for the flightlog and most likely by fluke had happened upon them. That they were so worried about it meant one of two things…either they didn't want the Preventers to get it, or they wanted to deactivate it and prevent a rescue team from coming. Either way, it was important that Heero not let them get it…and he needed to find it. That the signal wasn't lost meant that it was still above the surface of the quicksand, or close enough that the signal could escape. Heero's eyes swept over the inside again, this time with more urgency. He needed that flightlog…there!

At the very tip, the black box was lodged between two beams, thrown from its original perch at the bottom of the plane. Cautiously stepping inside the tail, Heero reached up towards the box. The plane began to sink more rapidly, his feet already covered. At the same time, the shift brought the box close enough for him to grab it. Wrapping his hands around the box, Heero jerked it down, cradling it to his chest as he was thrown off balance. The sand splashed up around him, covering his body. He could feel the heavy box dragging him deeper and deeper.

"He's got it! Pull him back to shore!" Leonardo's voice rang out victoriously, "Excellent work bodyguard. Now I don't have to leave you out there to rot."

Heero felt himself being pulled rapidly to shore, the heaves quick and confident. As he hit solid ground again, two strong arms lifted him from the muck and onto the firm jungle floor. Wiping the sand from his eyes, Heero looked up to find Leonardo towering over him, a dangerous leer on his face and hand outstretched.

"The box, if you will."

Heero glared at him. "Not a chance in--" He words were cut off as the butt of a rifle crashed into the back of his head. With a grunt, Heero pitched forward, the box clattering from his hands and coming to a stop at Leonardo's feet. Bending down, the Italian smirked as he retrieved his prize.

"Thank you bodyguard, I'm glad that we've been able to work together." He drew his handgun, switching off the safety with a click. "Now then…"

"No!" Relena dashed forward towards Heero only to be caught by Massimo and held back. "No, please don't!"

Leonardo turned to look at her with a bored stare. "Vice Foreign Minister, you must realize that even if I don't shoot him, the boy is going to die. That wound is nothing but a festering infection and it won't go away any time soon." He pulled back the hammer. "Believe me when I say this is a favor to him."

Relena glared at him, tears brimming the edges of her eyes. "We don't need any of your pity!" She began to struggle again. "You have your stupid box so just go away!"

Leonardo snorted. "Please. And leave witnesses? I've been ordered to kill both of you. We were sent in only on the precaution that you managed to survive the crash…like damage control if you will. Needless to say, I was quite surprised when both you and your bodyguard survived."

Heero hacked up blood. "Sorry to disappoint…"

"I'd keep quiet if I were you, bodyguard," Leonardo growled. "Your sarcasm is unwanted and unnecessary."

Heero smirked, lifting his eyes to Leonardo's dripping face. "What are you going to do? Shoot me?" His smirk slowly fell from his face, his eyes shifting to where Relena stood wrapped in Massimo's embrace. "I made a last request…"

Leonardo cocked his head. "Oh? And what makes you think I care?"

"Everyone deserves to make a last request." Heero ground out, his eyes locking with Massimo's. "And they should be honored."

Leonardo glared. "You, sir, are a killer. Did those Gundam pilots honor my brother's last request not to die? Killed by zero-one without mercy or a second thought! A cold-blooded killer is all he was, the bastard. And now, even Dorlain is ignoring the last requests of the soldiers to let them live on without fear of retribution by her corrupt government. Last requests are never honored by anyone but the foolish. My brother's sacrifice will never"

Heero dropped his gaze, struggling to his hands and knees before Leonardo, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. "If you're looking for justice for your brother's death, let Relena go…"

Relena shook her head in panic, her voice a pained whisper. "Heero…no…"

But the ex-pilot ignored her. "Kill me and you'll have taken justice for your brother. My life in exchange for hers will equate the wrong-doings."

Leonardo laughed. "Bodyguard, that would only work if…" Then it slowly dawned on him. Every legislation Dorlain proposed to protect the identities of the 'heros'… the recorded accounts ordered to be destroyed…her mysterious bodyguards that had no background…it all connected. "You…you're one of them…" He turned to look at Relena in disbelief. "The Gundam Pilots…are your bodyguards?" He shook his head, staring past Relena's head and into the dark forest. "And tell me, Gundam Pilot…which one are you?"

He knew the answer before it even escaped from the pilot's mouth.

"Gundam zero-one."

Leonardo clenched his fists. "You…you're that son of a bitch…who killed my brother?" Suddenly, he spun, charging towards Heero who remained kneeling on the jungle floor. "You bastard!"

Leonardo launched himself at Heero, using his gun as a mallet and beating it across the boy's face and body. He smashed it across the boy's eyes and jaw, enjoying the crunching sounds like music. Even as blood flew, splattering across the jungle floor only to be washed away, Leonardo kept beating, so infuriated he never noticed that Heero had not cried out once, nor did he hear Relena's screams for him to stop. Leonardo jumped up, viciously kicking Heero's injured side, driving the shrapnel in deeper. Now, the boy let out grunts and moans of pain, but never tried to roll away from the attack.

Leonardo stood over the bloody mess that was Relena's bodyguard, his chest heaving. "Get up." He snarled, the bloodied gun in his hand. "On your knees you pathetic piece of filth."

Heero slowly rolled to his side, struggling to lift his beaten body from the ground. He could hear Relena's angry sobs through the rain, but couldn't bring himself to look at her. Would she ever forgive him for this, or would she see it as another selfish act like all the others? He didn't want to see the betrayal in her eyes…or the anger he knew was there. It would be a pain no bullet could take away.

Heero came to his knees in front of Leonardo, his bound hands in front of him and head bowed in an almost prayer like manner. From the corner of his eye he could see Massimo pulling Relena back and hoped the giant would at least remember what he'd asked.

He heard a click as the hammer was pulled back.

Heero sighed. What a miserable way to end a hellish week…

"You last request, bodyguard," Leonardo growled above him, "I'm afraid cannot be honored by my employer. I will not kill her, but who's to say he won't? The vengeance I've been seeking will be complete, but know as you burn in Hell, you'll never be forgiven by those whose lives you've ruined."

Heero lifted his head, a tight frown on his face, but did not refute what was said. It was true; he only asked that they not kill Relena. He never took his eyes from Leonardo's, even as the gun was pressed against his forehead. Leonardo grinned viciously, his finger beginning to squeeze the trigger.

"As promised for your hard work…"

"Da-DA dadadadaaa DA dadadadaaa DA dadadadaaaa DA DA DA DA!"

Everyone looked up in surprise at the blaring noise that seemed to come from everywhere. As it repeated again, Leonardo dropping his gun arm in surprise.

"What the hell is that?"

Relena blinked. "Duo…?"

"The cavalry has arrived!" The voice roared over what had to be a huge megaphone. "Surrender and drop your weapons now!"

Leonardo glared at his surroundings, searching for the source of the noise. "We're not surrendering and we have hostages! I'll swear I'll kill them both if you don't show yourself now!"

"Well, if that's what you want…"

The sound started off low, as nothing more than a pleasant thrumming. Then it suddenly escalated to a loud roar, the trees swaying and bowing under powerful gusts of wind, the rain whipping around their bodies painfully. The dark area was illuminated with an overpowering white light as the helicopter hovered over head, its powerful beam cutting through the trees and lighting the entire area.

"Lower your weapons!"

Leonardo and Roberto whipped around, coming face to face with the village men and the Oxford leader. He stood in front of his tribe, a smug look on his face. The men were armed with spears, the gleam of dark metal reflecting the helicopter light. Snarling like a cornered dog, Leonardo brought his rifle to bear, Roberto hesitantly following his direction.

"You bastards are bold." Leonardo said with a glare, "And here I was being nice to you…"

Suddenly the men parted and Leonardo came face to face with the best anti-terrorist group in the solar system. The Preventers. Relena almost cried in relief and happiness as Wufei marched forward, a deep scowl on his face.
"Wufei!"

The Chinese man never glanced towards her, instead aiming his gun at Leonardo. "Surrender your weapons and put your hands on your head. Slowly."

Leonardo's eyes narrowed to near slits. "Massimo! Snap that girl's neck if they try anything."

Instantly, half of the weapons swung towards were Relena and Massimo stood, Massimo's arms still around her in a deadly embrace. Slowly, one of Massimo's hands came up and onto her shoulder. Relena's eyes widened.

Oxford jumped forward, his hands out. "Massimo, don't! You don't have to listen to him anymore, Leonardo's lost!"
Massimo never looked at him.

"Listen to me, Massimo! These Preventers will kill you!"

Leonardo still stood in a face off with Wufei, their guns aimed at each other. "Don't be stupid, Massimo. They've got nothing in store for you but years in prison and execution. They're going to kill you anyways. Go ahead, Preventer, read our charges."

Wufei glared, his finger tightening on the trigger. "By order of the Earth Sphere Unified Nation and the Preventers, you are under arrest for terrorism, attempted murder, and the kidnapping of Vice Foreign Minister Relena Dorlian. I don't think I need to tell you to shut the hell up, since you're so keen on running your mouth!

Leonardo sneered. "By the looks of you, you're probably quite the loud mouth as well! Roberto, if this man shoots me, I want him dead too."

Roberto blinked in surprise. "But…Leonardo…" He glanced at the Preventers. "There are much more of them than…"

Leonardo sighed, and drew his pistol with his other hand. Before Roberto could protest, the back of his head erupted in blood and thick matter as the bullet tore through. He keeled back, his body slumping to the wet ground, eyes wide and staring upwards. The Preventers pressed in closer, the rain hindering their eyesight, but the surprise on their faces evident. Leonardo turned back to Wufei with a smirk, pointing both guns at the solid man.

"You wouldn't have gotten much out of him anyways, Preventer. But I do apologize if this slows your case."

Wufei glared. "Have your man release the Vice Foreign Minister, and I'll consider not blowing off your head."

Leonardo shrugged. "How can you legally do that? I haven't shot at you yet, only killed my partner. ESUN law states that an officer of the law cannot legally shoot at or kill a suspect unless said suspect discharges his weapon first at said officer. In other words, unless you want to be arrested for a wrongful death, you better not kill me."

Wufei scowled from behind his weapon. "It also states that an officer of the law can shot a suspect if he is endangering the lives of others."

"The way I see it, I'm the person in danger here. If you're talking about this pathetic man kneeling on the ground, he's as good as dead anyways. If you're talking about Dorlain…" Leonardo smirked, "Well, I'm not the one ready to snap her neck, am I?"

Wufei glanced in Relena's direction for only a split second. At that moment, Heero saw Leonardo tense, a dark look falling over his features as his finger began to squeeze the trigger of his rifle. Heero leapt to his feet and charged, enjoying the shocked look on Leonardo's face as he was tackled to the ground, the shot going up and wide. They tumbled to the ground, the box and guns flying from Leonardo's hands and into the muck. Leonardo reached up with one muddied hand, pressing it against Heero's mouth and nose in hopes of suffocating him. He drew back his arm and smashed his fist against the Asian's face, causing the pilot's head to snap back. Leonardo dove for his pistol, bringing to the bear as Heero regained his bearings. The pilot froze as Leonardo pulled the trigger.

Bang! Bang!

Heero's body jerked as the bullet hit him, instantly falling to his knees and clutching at the shrapnel in his side.

"Heero!" Relena scream reached his ears, but the blood roaring through them quickly drowned her out.

Heero's his eyes snapped shut as fiery pain seemed to spread out across the side of his body. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth as he took in a shuddering breath, staring up at Leonardo's wide, shocked eyes. Leonardo half-lay on the ground, his gun still pointed at Heero. His eyes slid over Heero's face, the confusion and surprise evident.

"Shrap…nel…" His forehead scrunched in confusion, then he laughed. "Damn…you're lucky…pilot…" Leonardo let out a tiny sigh, his body going limp and pale as his eyes slid shut.

Heero hacked up more blood, collapsing to the ground rolling on to his back. He took in gasping breaths, the pain in his side not dulling. He took that for a good sign…a sign that his body was still responding for the moment.

"Heero!" Relena cried out again, struggling in Massimo's grasp. The Black man watched dispassionately as Leonardo died, the frown on his face lifting. He hardly took notice of the Preventers pressing in, or the Chinese man's orders to release the girl and surrender. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He quickly released Dorlain, passively watching as she dashed over to her bodyguard, lifting his head to her lap and stoking the bangs from his eyes. Walking towards Leonardo's body, he ignored the commands of the Preventers to get to his knees. Pausing before the man's cold body, he bent.

"Gun! Gun!" came a shout.

"Stop!" the Oxford student held up his hands placing himself in front of Massimo. "Agent Chang, don't have your men shoot, the man is harmless!"

Wufei glared at him. "Shut-up and get out of the way."

"Agent…"

Massimo's deep voice interjected. "The flightlog." Oxford and Wufei looked at him in surprise, the native turning as the Black Italian thrust the black box into his hands with a firm nod. Oxford blinked as Massimo marched towards Wufei, his dark eyes locked with the Chinaman's. Behind Wufei, the Preventers stiffened, their guns aimed even as they took a cautious step back from the huge, imposing man. Massimo held Wufei's gaze for a moment before holding out his hands. "I will surrender, Agent."

Wufei watched him carefully for a moment before nodded and pulling out a pair of handcuffs, snapping them around Massimo's large wrists. Suddenly, the walkie-talkie at Wufei's hip squawked to life

"Hello! What's going on down there?"

Wufei glowered, snatched at the radio. "The suspects have been apprehended, Maxwell, but Yuy's been injured." He watched as Massimo was detained and held under guard by a group of Preventers.

"My God…he can't do anything without hurting himself, can he?" Duo laughed, "Remember the time at the Christmas party when he…"

"Maxwell!" Wufei snapped, his frustration slowly growing. "Set down the helicopters and bring a stretcher."

"Alright, me n' Beacon will be there in a few. You know, you can really be an uptight piece of--"

Wufei snapped off the radio.

Hurray and Hurrah! Yes, ladies and gents, it only took me forever, but we have just one more chapter to go before "Jungle Rot" is over and done with. Sad, yes, but not to worry, I will definitely return to the Gundam Wing realm. If you want to read even more great fanfics, be sure to visit my website! Thanks so much for your support through this project!