When the cat met...

...Axl term...

Axl's chamber.

The light from the double glass windows dimmed the shadow in the young black
Hunter's room. He lay on his white bed and stared at the holes in his white ceiling absently. He didn't actually hear anything more than the raining sound outside the windows. He even wasn't sure about what he's thinking, right now. This silence and loneliness reminded him the Red alert. It's really good for him to become a Maverick Hunter like this or not, he didn't know.

The first day he had come here quite wasn't impression, at all. The only two who seemed to accept him were Zero and X. Even, the blue Hunter seemed to don't like him, his act still was better than the others. He didn't know who sorted him in the legendary Maveric Hunters unit. Maybe, it's Zero, the captain. He should thank him for that. Although he had the hard time when he stayed around X, he still had Zero helped him out. He always got injured for helping him as much as X. He took care of him like an older brother. Then, why he kept making Zero do that to him? Why wasn't he good enough to watch his own back? Why couldn't he be the one who protect Zero? X's right. He's just a kid. He's only a weak brat without experience. He didn't deserve to be a Maverick Hunter. He wasn't good enough. He knew. He knew. He knew but it's still hurt to hear that truth from the blue Hunter's mouth.

X's cold and painful voice made him know that X had felt like him. It's like X said those snappish words to himself. X also couldn't stop Zero from scarifying his life for helping him. What about Zero? He didn't know. Maybe, he would be angry for his carelessness and didn't want to talk to him, again. Yet, he still wanted to say sorry to Zero like he had done to X. He had to say it, although the older red Hunter didn't forgive him. And he wanted to do it, right now. He got out of his room and walked quietly along the metal corridor to the medic ward. He hoped Lifesaver didn't come to release Zero first.

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X's chamber

The little red cat lifted its head up from his chest to stare at him like saying…What's the matter kid? He sat on the edge of his bed and stared at the cat in his lap. It's quite surprised when he talked to it.

"I'm fine. It's quite boring to stay with me, ya know? It'd be more interesting if you stay with Axl. But thanks, anyway."

Sure! I'd stay here kid. You're looked like you're going to cry, now.

The cat gave the Hunter a concern look and rubbed its head on his chest. It's quite surprised that the humanoid's chest was warm liked this. Yet, his heart was sinking in deep sorrow like his red friend's.

That black kid really understands you. Neither you nor him could do anything about what your red friend did. So, drop it and stop blaming yourself. I'm sure that blond head would be happier with that. He's the one who jumped in those deadly claws, anyway.

"You're right. I'm really…..fine. Don't worry. Um..Do you mind to tell me your name, little cat?" He asked with smile. Yet, the cat's fur stood up with anger and the blue Hunter got three long bloody lines on his poor cheek, again.

"OW! S…Sorry, sir. But…But what else should I call you? You're a reploid, right? Can you speak?" X asked cheaply and cubed his painful cheek protectively.

How'd I tell you? See I speak for once? That's the point, stupid kid. What else? I'm a cat, remember? And I'm sure that I'm older. So, stop calling me little.

The cat answered with its sight. The other could guess what it said but not all of it.

"So, what else I can call you. You're small and looked so cute. I think calling you a cat isn't a good idea." X looked with pure curious look on his face.

I think so. But it'll be quicker if you go and ask your friend. I had to use two hours to tell him physically. And I prefer not to do it again. The cat thought.

X sighed and turned to stare at the door when he herded stepping sound. He could guess whose it was as he remembered the sound of metals touching each other.

"What does that kid do in this late hour? He better has a good reason to risk his ass like this. Maybe, he went out to find Zero. I better sneak up on him. He's my responsibility, after all. He'd be caught if I don't help."

The great hunter sighed and said quietly to himself. He waited till the stepping sound faded away before he changed to his reploid form and went after the trouble maker. He had to make sure that the security camera didn't get him or his comrade. Curfew was 9 a.m. and it's against the rule to be outside after that. That kid would surely be in so much trouble if he's caught.

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Repairing room

A young black reploid walked silently inside the dark room. He carefully walked past everything carefully while the faint green light of a laying capsule helped him to see everything inside.

He came to stop in front of the capsule. The main computer besides it was linked with the red great Hunter's system through several wires. So, he could talk with the one inside the capsule by typing his words in the computer. He's relieved that he's alone in the room. He smiled to himself and began to type on the keyboard. The small glassy monitor near the Keyboard showed the words he sent.

Zero, you get my massage?

He waited but the monitor was still blank, so he tried, again.

Zero?

The young reploid looked at the red Hunter carefully while he waited patiently. His older comrade was looked as if he was sleeping but, in reploid's eyes, the sleeping one was conscious. His system was working in a low power mode so the programs could complete as fast as possible. Several minutes had pasted and the young Hunter was worry. He nearly cried happily when his comrade finally answered.

Yeah. Whassup? Are you alright?…(- _^)…

I'd be the one who ask you…(-_-)…

Axl typed and smiled amusingly.

C'mon! As if I could be killed by that stupid Maveric….(+_+)…

But your damages are--!

Don't be reckless, kid…(- _- / \ /)….

Axl could saw a small twitch on Zero's face. The other quite didn't like what he had said. He's quite annoyed to himself as he made himself fool, again.

Zero seemed to know what Axl was thinking as the boy's silent. He did want to get out of this capsule, so he could saw the other's face while talking.

I…I have something to tell you…(T ^ T)…

I know. If you don't, you'd not be here. You're risking your head for coming to see me. How far the program has run?

Zero smirked and finally opened his eyes to look at Axl. The black reploid looked at the monitor screen. The overall percentage bar was nearly full. He wrote back.

95%, no error.

I'll let my program works out the rest itself. Severe the connections.

The younger Hunter raised his eyebrow and typed back quickly.

You might get damaged in your memory system 'cuz your checking program is still running…(O _ O)…

WHATEVER.

The careless Hunter just ended their argument easily. The younger Hunter was hesitated but he still believed the other, so he ended the diagnostics prematurely.

The sound of jammed system was head as it's stopped improperly. The flash of electric went through the capsule's surface and Axl stepped back to watch warily. The green water was released out of the capsule. A pressurized sound hissed as Zero's connections were severed and the glassy cover opened. The wires jerked themselves off the tired Hunter's body as all of the connecting systems were cut. Zero slowly sat up carefully and Axl rushed to hold him up before he'd fall off his capsule.

"I've gotten out early before and never get an error, so don't worry."

Zero blinked and spoke in quiet and smooth voice. He swung his legs over the edge of the capsule and stayed still for a moment, so his system had time to set the systems in his body and re-oriented them. He leaned on Axl's chest while he's waiting.

"Are you alright, Zero?" Axl asked and looked worryingly at the weaken body in his arms.

"Yeah……I'm fine. I just want a few minutes to steady everything in my body."

Zero smirked. He's still tired, so he let the younger Hunter help him to sit straight. He concentrated with his energy before he shifted to sit in one of his favorite posts. He put one elbow on his knee and leaned forward to put his chin on the back of his hand. The exhaustion showed itself on his emerald eyes.

"Do…..Do mind if I wipe your hair?" Axl glared shyly at Zero and asked with childish voice. The other's wet blond hair just tempted him.

"Nope, but you have a towel with you?" The great legendary Hunter smirked. He's amused with the boy's shyness.

"I…I'll go get it. Just…!"

The embarrassing boy stopped as he saw a white towel on the table near the door. He had not seen it there before but it's OK. He had one now. He got the towel and walked back to wipe Zero's hair happily. He didn't even notice a white hand that slip out of the door that closed quietly.

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In front of the repairing room

A little red cat looked at the blue figure like saying Why don't you join them? It'd be fun to see that kid's surprised face.

A blue reploid smiled warmly and said. "I better stay here. It's not like it'd have something to do with me if I'm with them. Besides, that kid came here to talk to Zero alone, after all."

The gatekeeper, hn? Interesting. The cat smirked.

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Inside the repairing room

"So, what's it?"

Zero closed his eyes and waited for an answer while he let Axl wipe his long soft blond hair. He noticed the boy's hesitation from his twitching fingers. But the black Hunter didn't have time to answer as the loud emergency siren alerted all of Hunters in MHHQ.

Axl saw only red and blond color flashed past him. His face was pale and looked shocked. His hands and a white towel in his grasped were painted with red oil liquid. He could smell blood, his lifesaver's blood.

"Zero!!!"

Just only one word got through the furious black Hunter's lips. He positioned himself in his battle post and raised his two favorite pistols up in each of his hand. He shot a black beast Maverick that had its long three claws got through his older comrade's chest and stomach. The Maverick just side stepped the shots and popped up in front of his pale face. It side-kicked and sent him to slam hard on the metal wall.

While he's sliding down and collapsing on the metal ground, his dizzy mind caught the sight of blue color in front of him. A blue Hunter came in to charge his buster and shot the Maverick away.

"Zero!!! How dare you!!?"

Why it's always Zero. Dammit! I have to fine some way to get Zero out of those deadly claws. Think, X, think!

The blue Hunter secretly thought and shot several times. He had to fine some way quickly or Zero would have been destroyed. This time, just this time, he wouldn't and never let this damn Maverick go away.

X side-stepped and stopped the long claws with his buster and slid down on the ground to kick the Maverick's legs out of its body. It collapsed and he took a chance to help Zero. He jumped up on its shoulder and jumped to wrap his arms around his friend. The force of his jumping pushed the Maverick to stumble back on the floor and made him have enough strength to yank his comrade out of the claws before he stepped on the floor.

"Axl!!" X shouted loudly.

The called Hunter suddenly appeared in front the blue Hunter and shot the Maverick, keeping it down on the floor. Yet, it still could stand straight, though its black armor chest was damaged.

"Put me down, X."

A soft voice whispered. X didn't have time to even move. Zero suddenly pushed himself out of X arms and stepped on his friend's shoulder as he jumped to the Maverick. He silently apologized in his mind that his weights pushed X down to slam hard on his stomach on the metal floor. The blue Hunter seemed to look surprised and astonished.

Zero changed his arm to buster and charged it with plasma energy. More he charged, more power his shot was. But, he didn't have time for that and had to fight with only medium power shot.

"Hey! Little Cat!" Zero called and stressed his last two words.

The called one jumped out with his saber in its mouth. It ran with top speed and slashed the Maverick vertically in half with the red Hunter's saber.

"Zero!!!"

The blond haired Hunter heard but he didn't have time to look. He suddenly was pushed down and found X laying on him as the blue Hunter also ducked the Maverick's claws.

"Are you al--!"

"Watch out!!" Axl's voice interrupted the blue Hunter.

X suddenly picked his fallen friend up in his arms tightly and jumped away. The half part of Maverick could still move and got a purple saber out of its palm to slash them. The trio nearly jumped when they heard the cat's cry. It's captured in another half Maverick's claws.

"Axl! Take care of him!!"

X suddenly carelessly shoved Zero to Axl who came to get the red Hunter just in time. The blue Hunter was secretly surprised that he'd placed his best friend's life in the young inexperience Hunter's hand.

"Hai!" Axl said firmly even he quite wasn't sure.

"Zero!! May I borrow your Z-saber? OK? Thank you!" The blue Hunter shouted and ran to get the said weapon on the floor.

"Whatever!!" The red Hunter shouted back. What else he could say? His friend had gotten it already.

They didn't notice the red blinking light of the broken red scar on the Maverick's face. Axl suddenly turned to stop the other half Maverick's claws with his pistol and shot with the other pistol. Yet, it's his body that suddenly felt like something either crashed it or stopped it in the place. The half Maverick slashed his chest with its hidden blade on its chest and stabbed right through his sides and Zero's body with its hidden blade on its side.

His body arched painfully with the pain. His blood sprayed all around when the blade in his sides were yanked out violently. His eyes widened with the pain. He coughed his substitute red blood in his throat out and grasped heavily. His blood splashed on Zero's face and mixed with the red Hunter's. The only things he just saw in his dull eyes were Zero's pale face and his widen dull eyes. He heard X called his name and he knew what he should do. He had to bring himself and Zero out of here. He had to protect him. But he couldn't move. His body didn't listen and only collapsed on the red Hunter.

His pain was slowly subsided to nothing. He didn't feel anything, though he's shoved and slammed hard on the wall like a broken doll. His mind ordered his body to struggle out of the half Maverick's grasp as a new black beast Maverick explored the wall and came to grasp the motionless Hunter in its claws. It switched in invisible mode and disappeared in the shadow.

"I'm sorry Zero. I can't protect you. I'm….sorry……..X…Zero."

The young broken hunter said quietly to his comrades. He couldn't stop it. He couldn't stop that kidnapper and even move to help X and their cat. He's so useless and couldn't even say one word.

Please….Forgive me….for not helping you…X, Zero….

He only had those words left in his mind before his world completely faded to nothing.

End Axl term…