Disclaimer: same thing. I'm sure I wrote it for the first..hmmm 7 CHAPTERS. Twitch..I own Cero Anake. That's it.
A/N: okay..part one of two...XX next half will be the lemon. And..my wrighting style is doomed to be f-ed up.
Chapter 8: Passion and depression part one
Natarle's P.O.V
Dusk settled in as I began my journey to what was left of the village or whatever it was...
nothing...I could tell..it smelled of burnt bodies and...gunpowder...I wonder suddenly why you did not come along...something tells me it was good that you stayed behind...
my thoughts rush through my mind as I make my way gingerly across the sandy path..
I feel them watching me...their eyes piercing into my soul..I think of you..your Amber eyes...watching me...I looked up into the sky.. it was burning a dark red..a red like blood but who's I wonder...A rhetorical question that cannot and will never be answered..so many die in war...I think back to what happened..for you that was the worst night of your life. So much...
"hey! Natarle?" I turn to see him running up behind me.
"what?" I ask
"I was..told by the captain to come and help you..If you need it that is." I looked at him.
"Right." Saying nothing more I walked away from him.
Normal P.O.V
"Ummm Nat? Why do I get the feeling people are...glaring at us?"
Mu asked dumbly.
"I don't know comander...Maybe because they Are?" Natarle snapped looking at him.
"Errr heheh sorry..." He replied while walking away. Men. Natarle thought walking off in a different direction from Mu. It happened so fast the bullet whizzed past her head and smashed into the ground at her feet. Wha? Natarle turned to see a man around Kira's age standing only feet away from her.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"I have no need to tell you my name coordinator!" He yelled to her.
"Now just stand there and die quietly." He said. Natarle slid into a defensive stance and waited. He opened fire on her again. Natarle jumped back and ran under several of the shots. The bullets smashed the ground beside her as she picked up speed.
"Not on my time shall I lay down and die for you!" She swept her fist along the ground and came up hard on the boy's lower jaw. He toppled back and looked up at her in surprise. Natarle turned again and swung her elbow back hitting another man who was trying to get her from behind.
"What is it with you people hating us?" Natarle asked.
"you're a disgrace to human kind!" He got up and tried to hit her. She ducked under his fist and shoved into his stomach with her elbow. He flew back hitting the sand hard. He struggled to sit up. "
"Get her!" Three or more came out from random areas around Natarle. Bullets flew and one impacted with Natarle's shoulder. She yelped in agony and fell to the side.
"Take that scum." He said.
"I'm sorry boy but I'm not going down that easy!" Wincing in pain Natarle stood. Blood pouring out of the wound and staining the white fabric of her jacket. Damnit how the hell do I keep this from Murrue? She thought looking at the now red sleeve.
"screw it." She said under her breath.
"attack her! Forget the guns go! Just kill her!"
Natarle stared at the men in front of her.
"Come on then..I'm waiting." She said smiling sweetly at them.
They all came at her. Whoo boy.. She ducked under ones arm and punched him hard in the gut sending him to his knees. Another jumped over his fallen partner taking Natarle by surprise.
"eh?" She said looking up.
"Gotcha!" He yelled. Natarle jumped back quickly barley avoiding the harsh blow aimed at her head.
"umm you missed." She said. He swung at her again and she ducked quickly.
She brought her fist up in a harsh uppercut causing him to double over and fall.
She stood up only to be grabbed from behind. Her eyes widened in a slight shock.
"Now we have you." One said.
She smiled. "I suppose you do."
They advanced on her slowly. Natarle waited for the right moment. She brought her foot up smashing it into the man's stomach. She bent over quickly, flipping the one holding her. He landed hard on his back, Others ran at her. Damnit. Will this EVER END! Shethought. Gun shots echoed around her. She turned quickly to see Mwu running to her aid. Took him long enough. She sprinted forward at the young man. He smiled at her and waited for the last moment. He moved to the side throwing Natarle off balance. She stumbled slightly and felt his hand hit the back of her neck. She went down, Hard.
Mental note: sand...dosn't make a good meal..She thought. He laughed at her.
"Is this the BEST you can do Coordinator?" He asked.
"No." Natarle muttered rolling over slowly.
"Good." He replied. He lifted his foot up over her head and brought it down. Natarle quickly rolled to the side using the ground as leverage. She flipped up to her feet as he launched himself at her. She jumped back and he swung. She moved back at a speed even she didn't think she could. He kept up with her swinging like a madman. All his blows missed.
"You're fast." He said. She shrugged and he swung again. She ducked again and brought her fist up hitting him in the face. He stumbled back but managed to keep his balance. Natarle spun around and brought her foot colliding into the side of his face. He went flying and rolled across the sand.
"Nothing like a good after noon work out." Mwu said. Natarle sighed.
"Amen to that." she replied. She turned and watched in silence as the young man got to his feet. She looked at him, daring him to come at her again. He ran off.
"okay. Now what?" Mwu asked.
"Get the heck out of here and try to find the city." Natarle replied.
"Right." Mwu nodded before walking off. Soon a tired and bleeding Natarle followed him. She was sick of being picked on all the time for what she was. Life was as it was. There was no changing what she was. It was her rightful birth. She was a coordinator and didn't care. Murrue of all people loved her for what she was. Natarle sighed. She wounded hw much more abuse she could take from all the haters out there. This war after all was against her kind. She continued to walk lost in thoughts carefully choosing her steps as she looked at the passing sand and the ruined buildings. And this is how they live...this is so wrong. None of this should be like it is. But all we can do is fight to protect our people and fight for revenge for those who died. Right? She thought stopping to look at the fire red glow of the sun set. She sighed again and continued to walk. Soon her and Mwu entered the main city. Now in ruins. Mwu had stopped in front of a crowd of kids.
"umm...Hey there guys." He said. Natarle shook her head her initial thought passed and she walked past him.
"Hey...Lieutenant...what about me?" He called after her. She waved her hand in a motion that caused the children to laugh and Mwu to complain.
"Now, now...What would the Captain think?" He said. Natarle turned her head to look at him.
"She'd say you look like an idiot." She teased.
"Not funny Woman."
"Yes...actually it was quite funny." Natarle said smiling. Mwu made a small humph sound then caught up to her.
"You're cruel Natarle. Why do you always make fun of me?" He asked.
"Because, Mwu, I can." She replied, laughing. He grumbled but continued to walk along beside her.
"Who are you people?" A voice said. Natarle practically jumped out of her skin.
"We're with the battleship Archangel." Mwu said for her.
"Ah..yes..." Natarle shakily stated still trying to calm her frantically beating heart down.
"Who was it...who fought against the Blue Cosmos Men outside the city?" The voice asked. She turned to see it was a man.
"...I did..." She said slowly, unsure of herself and his reaction.
"He nodded. Good work there..umm...Ms.." He stated, unsure.
"Badgiruel." She said.
"Yes..Good work Ms. Badgiruel." He said flatly.
"Your Welcome." She replied quietly.
"Those boys you fought have been a nuisance for awhile now. They have been-not only threatening others like yourselves-but the entire city. They just moved in one day. And now someone got rid of them." He bowed and Natarle stared at him awkwardly
"Ummm right.." Mwu said looking form the man to Natarle.
"So...we should have formal introductions now. My Name is Creo Anake." The man said.
"Mines Mwu La Fllaga." Mwu stated.
"My..The Hawk Of Endimyon. What a pleasure. And you miss?" He looked to Natarle. Who pulled her hat over her eyes.
"Natarle Badgiruel." She said coolly.
"...The Devil's Advocate..." He whisperd. "My god...it's such an honor."
"..." She looked up at him, Amethyst eyes hard and cold. "Maybe it is..Mr. Anake." She said finally. He bowed lowly to her.
"Please. Called me Cero."
"If you wish." Natarle said. Mwu looked at her.
" Come on Nat...lets see if any of the people need medical assistance and somehow con-" He was cut off by the Strike landing nearby. "-Tact the ship.." He finished. She nodded. A few seconds after Kira emerged from the cockpit. He caught eyes with Natarle and waved slightly. She nodded and motioned for him to come over. Mwu slowly started to weave his way through the crowd of people now surrounding them.
"What's up Lieutenant?" Kira asked when he got over to her.
"Send a message to the Archangel. Tell them to send some medical care." She said.
"Roger that." Kira said and he moved off again. She was left standing in the mist of a bunch of people. Now..just to figure out how to get rid of that...enemy...She thought letting her mind trail off again. She had very few ideas. That enemy team was good. She kept thinking about the base. How was it that they developed such a powerful weapon such as the Cyther? She was confused...but that was to be expected. Natarle wasn't surprised but then again she wasn't very amused.
"Lieutenant?" She heard. She jumped and turned to see Kira.
"Oh..Hello Ensign. Is there anything I can help you with?" She asked. He shook his head.
" The Captain just wishes you would return quickly." He said. She nodded.
"Right, I hope to be back...very soon. But I am also concerned about the people here. They are going to send help right?" She asked.
"Yes...the doctors should be on their way now." He said. Natarle nodded and turned away from him. She slowly made her way out from the civilians. A cry interrupted her thoughts. She turned to see a small child in the arms of her mother, crying. She gave a small smile of sympathy before walking over to them.
"It hurts doesn't it? I know how it feels." She said while crouching down and placing her hat on the small girl's head. The little girl stopped crying to look up at Natarle. Again she smiled softly.
"There..That will make you feel better. Here...take this too." She said. Natarle pulled a small bar out of one of her pockets, opened it, and handed it to the girl. She happily took it from Natarle's hand and ate it quickly. Natarle smiled again and stood in a fluid motion. The girl looked at her as she walked away.
"Wait Miss your hat!" The mother yelled after her.
"It's all right. Your daughter can keep it. She seems to like it." Natarle said Turning her head to look back. She watched as the mother went back to rocking the small girl in her arms gently. Natarle walked away slowly. Memories of her own mother came flooding through her mind. Natarle looked up to the now nearly dark sky flooded with a billion stars that gleamed like new diamonds. Murrue...All I can think about is you...ever since that first night...That first night..we kissed. She thought still looking up at the stars not noticing Mwu.
"Hey...Nat?" He said softly.
"hmmm?" Natarle murmured looking down from the sky at him.
"The paramedics took care of everything. We can go back to the ship now...hey..what about your arm?" He asked.
"Oh this? I'll let the Captain take care of it.."-she laughed-"After she scolds me for not being careful." She finished.
"I have one question..." Mwu said looking at her.
"Yes? What is it?" Natarle asked watching his gaze carefully.
"...are...you a coordinator?" He asked.
"...Yes...I guess I am." She said. Mwu nodded.
"Let's go back now. Kira went back about a half an hour ago." He said. Natarle walked ahead of him silently back to the jeep that they had come in.
Murrue was getting restless. Natarel had been gone for far to long. Nat...I hope...your okay. She thought staring out at the night sky.
"Captain, The Commander and The Lieutenant have returned. They're in the hangars." Miriallia stated. Standing, Murrue quickly headed down to greet them.
Silence was what greeted the two tired officers.
"Wonder if they all went to bed." Mwu said jokingly. Natarle almost laughed but looked at him funny instead.
" I doubt they would. I'm sure the Captain is waiting up." She said. Mwu nodded.
"Commander! Lieutenant!" The two looked to see Murrue running up to them.
"Speak of the Devil." Mwu said. Natarle smiled as Murrue came running into her arms.
"You had me worried." Murrue said.
"I-I'm sorry Captain." She said. Murrue shook her head and pulled away, gasping.
"Natarle! What happened to your arm?" She said looking at Natarle's red sleeve.
"We..were ambushed. By a group of Blue Cosmos members. I was shot in the process." Natarle said.
"What have I told you about being careful?" Murrue asked.
"I know. I know. I'm sorry." She said.
"It's okay. Lets go get that fixed up." Murrue said. Taking Natarle's hand Murrue carefully lead her off to the infirmary. Natarle obediently followed. After a few minutes Natarle's arm was fixed.
"Be careful of that arm. If you move around to much you'll ruin the stitch." The doctor warned. Natarle nodded and slowly rose to her feet. She walked quickly out of the infirmary and back to the bridge with Murrue at her heels.
"Tell me...how was it out there?" Murrue asked. Natarle sighed and told her the entire story. Murrue looked at her very carefully.
"Let's...get some sleep...tomorrow we're going to go into a city to get some supplies. At least...that's what Saib said...You...Kira..and some other people whom we'll be meeting tomorrow." Murrue finished.
"Yes...I need sleep..." Natarle muttered sleepily.
"I'll wake you when we arrive." Murrue said. She then kissed Natarle gently and left.
Tired and unwilling to move Natarle managed to drag herself back to her quarters. I should've taken a shower before I got these stitches...Godammit... She thought. Ah...too bad. I don't care...I want a shower. A sand bath just doesn't appeal to me. She nodded and headed into the bathroom.
The ship hummed as it moved slowly along towards it's new destination. Murrue sat silently at her post watching the jeeps drive ahead of the Archangel. They look like ants... Murrue thought startling herself at her sudden childish thoughts. I must be tired...yes..that's it...I'm just tired. Murrue mentally scolded herself before pulling herself back together. Slowly she stood.
"Goodnight Crew." She said. They all nodded, some making small grunting sounds. I think we all need to go to bed... Murrue thought, Laughing. She headed out after the final salute and the wait for the elevator.
"Captain? Hey..get up...we're here." She heard. Murrue moaned and shifted rolling over away from the source of the voice.
"Just..a little longer." She muttered.
"Captain...get up..." She felt herself being shaken.
"Fine, Fine..." She sat up and stared into Mwu's blue eyes. She blinked at him.
"Eh?...Morning...where's Nat?" Murrue muttered sleepily as she got up.
"umm Still fast asleep" Mwu said, turning away so she could have some privacy. Murrue eyed him suspiciously as she pulled on her uniform.
"I see. Well I guess I'll have to get her up." She said while running a brush through her tousled hair. Mwu turned.
"She nearly handed me my head in a basket. What makes you so sure you can get her up?" He asked. Murrue smiled.
"I have my ways." She stated teasingly walking out.
She felt someone shaking her, Natarle shuddered and rolled over mumbling.
"Natarle...get up...we need to go visit the rebels." She heard the familiar feminine voice say. Natarle murmured again.
"You don't need me to do that." She mutterd.
"No, but I want you to come with me." Murrue answered. Natarle sighed defeated.
"Fine, fine.." She muttered sitting up. "Happy? You got me up." She said. Murrue laughed. Natarle lazily stood and went to pull on her uniform.
"Ummm..Do you mind? Captain?" Natarle groggily mumbled. Murrue couldn't help but feel the heat rise up her neck to her face. "Sorry." She said, quickly walking out of the room.
Privacy...I wonder why she needed me to come with her...She thought sighing but still getting dressed and moving at her fastest for so early. Normaly I'm the first one moving...wow...I must be having problems.. She thought still. "Oh well.." She shrugged and walked out to meet Murrue in the hangars.
"Hey There Nat!" Mwu exclaimed when he saw the impossibly tired looking lieutenant step into the Hangars. She stared at him for a few seconds before giving him a tired salute.
"Morning..." She muttered. Murrue walked over to her and grabbed her arm.
"Come on now slow poke." Murrue said teasingly. Natarle whispered something that caused Murrue to go a light shade of pink. Mwu laughed at the two.
"You two love birds ready to go yet?" That line earned him a glare and a blush from the Lieutenant, And a funny looking expression from a red faced Captain.
"Yes. We are ready to go." Murrue said promptly walking past him, dragging the tired Natarle after her. Mwu was left behind watching the two female officers and thinking.
Those two...are the perfect couple.. He thought, quickly walking after them.
The desert sun beat down on their backs as Murrue, Natarle, and Mwu exited the Archangel. They were greeted by a few arguing solders. "there's too much to worry about and not enough ammunition!" Murrue stopped upon hearing this, and silently watched the two men argue. "Captain wha-oph!" Murrue stumbled as Mwu walked into her. She turned and glared at him, also noting the suddenly awake Natarle beside her.
"Why are you awake all of a sudden?" Murrue asked.
She watched Natarle try to form an answer.
"uhhh...hehehe...errrr.." She stammered. Murrue laughed. "it's all right. No need to worry."
Natarle bowed her head. Murrue smiled again.
"You're all here I see." Murrue practically jumped out of her skin and turned quickly to see Saib standing there. "yes..we're here...for the meeting you scheduled." Murrue replied coolly. He nodded and turned leading the officers into a small tent Murrue fell a step behind Natarle letting the younger woman lead the way. Mwu came to pace beside her.
"something wrong? You seem a bit nervous." He asked. Murrue looked at him. "I'll be fine." She said, Watching the younger woman's muscles tense and relax as she walked. She heard Mwu shake his head, causing her to smile. "I can't help it." She said. Mwu laughed then, a surprised laugh. "I knew I was right. You and the Lieutenant have a thing for each other." He said. Murrue flushed a deep red, trying to hide her face from the on looking solders. Mwu only laughed harder.
"What is so funny back there?" Murrue looked up, meeting the cool Amethyst eyes of her lover. "oh it's nothing." Mwu said waving her off. "Right then." Natarle said, looking ahead again. Silence spread, threatening to crush ones mental barriers. Murrue shifted uncomfortably under the gazes of the rebels. She soon moved up beside Natarle.
"you changed your uniform." Murrue said. "Yea...It took you a bit to notice. I've been wearing this uniform ever since I went out yesterday." Natarle stated, looking at her. Murrue blushed again "oh..dear...I was just so worried about you." She said.
"Don't worry about it.." Natarle replied. Murrue looked the younger woman over. Her uniform hadn't really changed...exept..she was wearing...pants instead of the normal skirt. Murrue smiled inwardly and laughed mentally. How very cute. She thought.
"here we are." Sahib stated walking into a small room inside the tent. Murrue looked around, feeling Natarle's presence at her back. She nodded not knowing what to say.
"Help yourself to some coffee if you'd like" Sahib said. "don't mind if I do," Murrue stated walking over to the small coffee maker in the corner. Mwu and Natarle watched her, with slight disbelief. "I didn't know the Captain liked coffee." Mwu said. Natarle shrugged. "learn a new thing every day," She mumbled.
"Any way." Sahib stated firmly. The three turned to him. Mwu watched as Natarle's eyes hardened instantly. "Yes, So, What is it...you wish to tell us?" She said walking closer to the table Sahib was standing by. "I decided to help you people because you don't want anything to do with ZAFT either..I'm I correct?" He asked. Murrue walked over to the table, coffee cup in hand. "That is very true." She said. Sahib nodded. "There's a few simple things I want to go over..."
He looked up at the Strike Gundam with a sense of unease. We land in a ZAFT enforced area...get attacked...now this.. His Amethyst eyes shifted to the Black Unit in the corner of the hangar. " ZGMF-RX 30...Cyther." He said aloud. "It's a rare treasure," He heard turning to see Tonomura walking up behind him. "Can't seem to believe that the Lieutenant Commander herself stole this thing." He shook his head. "So, Kira, How ya holding up?" Tonomura asked. "Fine.." Kira replied. The older man smiled and turned to walk off. "just..be careful out there." He said, waving his hand at Kira. "I will." Kira said. I wonder...I wonder.. He turned back to the Cyther. Are you...really...her?
"Just follow the map..and the path here" Sahib pointed out. Murrue leaned over, looking.
"...an..abandoned mine?" Murrue questioned. Natarle looked over her shoulder.
"That's what it looks like..." She said. Sahib nodded.
"yes. The mines should be still active. If we can draw the enemy there...we should be able to blow them all away." He said. Murrue looked to Natarle who silently was scanning over the map in front of them.
"...but we have hardly any supplies." she stated, looking up.
"Yea, how do we expect to get there with what we have?" Mwu agreed. Murrue debated, blinking down at the map in front of her. "But, what about here. If we head this way..." She trailed off. "you'll end up right in the Desert Tiger's territory." Sahib finished for her.
"dammit," Natarle hissed, "how will we ever get past him? It's like no matter where we go...he's just there." she finished. "well...If you want something effective..you'll have to break through them." Sahib said starting to point things out to the three officers...
"maaaaaannnnnn, I'm tired." Mwu whined. He looked up at the sky.
"The sun's setting." Murrue mumbled sleepily.
"Yea. So..the plans for tomorrow include?" Natarle asked, wrapping an arm around Murrue's waist.
"well...hmm," She started, snuggling against Natarle's side, "You go off..to get some supplyes..Kira-kun and Cagalli..go off into the city...and I sit around all day." She finished happily.
"my captain, getting rather lazy as of late?" Mwu teased. Murrue opened one eye and shot him a death glare.
"Stuff it La Fllaga." Murrue snapped, heading back to the ship with Natarle in tow.
XX there you have it..part ONE...I'll get on with part two soon...