This fic has not done as well with the reviews as I would have hoped but reviews do not a fan base make, grammar seems a bit off but eh it's paraphrasing so whatever. Like before a fantasy based AU has been updated along side this one, same pairings just different settings so enjoy. If you like this fic please review it, it will get others to hopefully do the same. If this chapter does as poorly as the last I may back burner it, and sadly my other 3x4x3 fics may suffer as well.

WarNinGs: Some violence and swearing but nothing all that graphic.

Aishi Say

"...To the soldier,

The civilian,

The martyr,

The victim

This is war..."

More from 'This is war' by Thirty Seconds From Mars, consider it a thing for this fic.

2... … …THIS…IS…WAR… … ...2

"Barton are you all right?" Hilde asked as she entered the bay, she had heard a small group of Leo had just been mercilessly destroyed, nothing new. Her friend looked like a bristling cat and she wanted to know why.

"I am fine they were only Leo," Trowa answered dismissively, as if anything so inferior to a Gundam was a threat.

"Oh like Hell," Hilde muttered stopping him, she was one of the few people who could talk freely with him.

"What?" Trowa asked turning, sure he had misheard, he was unharmed so she had no reason to mutter at him.

"Don't you what me," Hilde ordered as she walked up to him, jabbing his chest with a short nailed finger. "What the Hell is up with you anyway? You were just fine last night, and now you are all bristly and hissing. The guard you left rambled something about Blondie pissing you off, the kid is terrified of you."

"As long as he does his job he has nothing to fear from me." Trowa reminded the annoyed German calmly. Hilde snapped when she was emotional, she was emotional because she cared.

"That is all well and good, but what the Hell did Blondie do to set you off? You seemed perfectly comfortable around him last night, and this morning you were asleep so there." Hilde did not understand, Quatre was no threat so what had he done? The guy did not know anything about Trowa, let alone one of his few triggers. Had the blond stumbled on one purely by random luck?

Trowa glared at Hilde, he did not care for her implications, if she was anyone else she would be staring down a pistol barrel by now. "My orders are to keep him safe, nothing more."

"To Hell with your orders!" Hilde snapped, she hated that damn glare, it hurt to have it turned on her. "Is it so wrong to show a hint of human kindness to someone who is not the enemy?"

Trowa closed his eyes with a sigh, that hurt expression was very effective. "I am a killer, I have no need for such foolish emotions, they only get in my way."

Hilde bit her lip, dark eyes closing and looking away meant only defeat, she did not like getting through his thick skull this way. Reaching out she flattened her palm against his cheek, gently turning his face back to her. "You might not need them, but they saved my life, you saved my life." She smiled when dark eyes opened, expression unsure but calm, "You do not have to be on guard every waking moment Trowa, you never are with me."

Trowa sighed softly, closing his eyes as he took Hilde's hand, she put too much faith in what was left of his humanity. "You are impossible."

Hilde smiled, squeezing that deadly hand that would never do her harm, she knew what was so well hidden behind those many feline masks. "You wouldn't want me any other way." She reminded him with a gentle gibe, lips brushing his cheek, pleased she could get away with it. "Go give your report, I will see Blondie will not ramble apologies at you." Pulling her hand free she smiled with a little wave as she walked away, she would see to everything as always.

2... … …THIS…IS…WAR… … ...2

"Geez Blondie he isn't going to attack you, remember orders?" Hilde smiled when the blond relaxed, he still looked unsure. "Look Barton is…well he's an idiot, but he also has a very strict code. Showing any weakness is unacceptable, and I mean any."

"What weakness? His master wants me on his side, if we are potential allies then why is being a little nice so wrong?" Quatre did not understand, Treize had no problem showing a little affection, nor had Barton reacted negatively to it. He had not reacted in any hostile fashion to Hilde either, until this morning he had only seen him bare his fangs at Netune.

Hilde sighed softly, Trowa reminded her of a stray kitten she had found once, so scared of getting close to anyone but her. "Me, you know about me."

"You, why would…he does not think I would allow anyone to harm you to get to him does he?" Duo would find that appalling as well, Barton was not a civilian killer, their side wanted him defeated not burning in Hell like Netune, well not as many.

Hilde shook her head, the blond would never condone such an act, any blind person could see that. "No, of course not, nor does he believe you would try and use that bond for your gain. It is simply you are unknown yet you know one of the only ways to hurt him. He is like a stray cat really, untrusting, defensive but not really mean or uncaring. He is just so unused to human kindness, growing up as he did it is a wonder he knows how to show it at all."

"How he grew up?" Quatre was not sure he wanted to know but felt compelled to ask, he wanted to help Barton even if he did not seem to want help.

"He has told me some of it, as if it was some unimportant list of events form a report. Child mercenary, and a damn good one too. Treize took notice of him when he got reports of his work, as usual he preferred recruitment to elimination, his age had little to do with it. With the core massacred he left Earth, found his way to L3 while Heavy Arms was being constructed. When Trowa Barton was executed he acquired the dead man's name and mission, preventing Operation Meteor. It was around this time Treize approached him, a stray with a powerful weapon and no loyalty to any cause. He chose the cause of keeping Earth and Space on equal footing, since one with more power would equal subjugation for the other. As I understand it Yui was recruited using the same logic, Wufei may agree with the logic but seems to prefer bowing to no one. I have been at Barton's side for a little over six months now. I was captured by some of your less honorable comrades, he was there for their leader not me. Even though I was O.Z. I was frighten of him at first, so many gunshots going off so fast and all. He knelt down and studied me for a moment, not saying a single word. Reaching out he cut my bounds before holding out a hand, only then did he speak. When he said he would take care of me I did not doubt it, I allowed him to pull me to my feet, and he has not once betrayed my faith in him. I know he is cold, damaged, but he can change…part of him longs to change." Hilde bit her lip, odd how these two were so different yet both were perfectly harmless to her.

Quatre blinked, adding what he knew from reports, rumors, or had gleamed from him to what she had just said. He got a picture of someone who had been trained to fight and kill, never given a chance to be anything more then a fighter. Hilde had become someone Barton could protect and confide in, he could understand why. "Why tell me all of this?"

"You should know, you are not afraid, disgusted, or contemptuous of him, you see the cracks as I do." Hilde did not feel she had to add that he would not use those cracks against him. "Do not apologize, it would be best if you acted as if it never happened."

"Why exactly?" Quatre was curious about the reasons, if he could better understand how Barton thought he would be better able to avoid needless fighting.

"Warrior code foolishness, needless to say if you do not mention the fight he very likely will not, he is not one to apologize. I love the guy, but when he starts acting like a male I really want to deck him, funny thing is he'd stand there and let me. He wouldn't even dodge, and his jaw is made out of whatever his thick ass skull is made of." Hilde rubbed her hand absently, thankful he had not returned her strike with anything more then a quizzical look.

Quatre frowned when Hilde rubbed her hand, he would have to try and warn Duo if he could, Duo would be useless with an injured hand. "Wufei would allow it, if he felt he had wronged someone, but if not…he and Duo did not seem to get along very well."

"Yes, well, I'd pay to see Wufei try and intimate Barton, Yui didn't manage it and he is psychically stronger. Oh well, he'd deck him just for negatively commenting on the fact I am a female, as if." Hilde shook his head, Barton could give a fuck about gender friend or foe, it was best to just not be in his way.

Quatre considered that, Barton has grown up in a war zone so it made sense fear was something that did not concern him. "So would Duo, I prefer to not go around punching people, it can become rather painful."

Hilde giggled, oh she liked this guy, "Barton's fist is not nearly so logical, great fallow through though."

"One learns how to throw a punch when failure likely means death Hilde," Trowa reminded his friend as he walked in, frowning at the report he was skimming. Looking up he blinked at the pair before frowning, "Stop bonding."

Hilde giggled at the order, taking his mug with a grin, "Ah huh. You know me better then that Kitten, besides I am a friendly girl." She sipped the coffee before choking, handing the mug to the concern looking blond. "God! I thought you liked me!"

"And I thought you had learned not to do that after the first time, besides you know full well I like you." Trowa tossed the pad to the bed before gently taking her shoulders in his hands, "You need a vacation."

"I need a vacation? Oh please, you only take a day off when you physically cannot get out of bed." Hilde reminded her friend as she grinned up at him, pleased to see amusement glinting in those calm eyes of his. "I will take the rest of the day off, you write up the little clean up job you did. I'll bring food by soon, and some coffee that will not kill our guest, bye now."

Quatre sniffed at the coffee before sipping it as Hilde walked out, he frowned at it, "And I though Duo liked his strong."

Trowa turned blinking at the blond, head tilting at him curiously, "Oh?"

"This is worst then what he drinks to get over hangovers, but not by much." Quatre frowned at the mug again before handing it over, he hardly wanted to drink anymore of it.

Trowa smirked taking the mug from him, "You have a strong stomach Winner, Hilde cannot stand it."

"I imagine few can, or would want to." Quatre had no doubt that stuff could keep one awake for a day or two, he preferred sleeping from time to time.

"Few do, I am surprised you did not choke like Hilde, Duo's unique drinking habits aside." Trowa sipped his coffee watching the blond over a pale rim, he was a most curious individual.

"Oh I am sure you and your friends have enjoyed torturing people with that paint remover more then once." Quatre scoffed, keeping an eye on Barton, who looked amused, amused was good.

"True, Hilde did it to herself, she has since learned to take my warnings seriously." Trowa had no intentions of poisoning Hilde, she did now and then in teasing.

Quatre smiled a little at that, it was good to know the Silencer was capable of genuine human kindness. "People do not always listen to warnings, Allah knows I ignore quite a few."

Trowa tilted his head at him, not convince it was solely Duo's doing, "Such as?"

Quatre blinked, he kept forgetting he was talking to basically a complete stranger, "Do you want a serious, or a more trivial example?"

Trowa shrugged, he was not really concerned either way, "Whichever you prefer to share is fine with me."

Quatre frowned thinking about that for a moment, "That is how I ended up here actually."

Trowa titled his head at the blond, he had not been expecting that one, "Explain."

"Duo is not a New Type but he has a sixth sense about things, usually when he has a bad feeling it is best to take it seriously." Quatre had no doubt Barton was well aware of the abilities each Gundam Pilot had, including his own.

"Simple instinct, he warned you not to go yet you did, why?" It did not make sense to ignore a warning when you knew it was sound. Trowa had read the blond was soft not careless.

Quatre sighed softly, "I did not have a bad feeling like he did, maybe if I had grown up on the streets as he had I would have better instincts."

"Precognitive talents come in handy in my line of work, they can be honed when one is not born with them." Trowa had been lucky enough to be born with them, they helped keep him and those he choose alive.

Quatre frowned slightly but decided against asking which Barton possessed, he was not sure he wanted to think about how Barton honed skills. "Though I am sure his feelings had nothing to do with you."

"Why? Because I did not shoot anyone you were with?" Whether he had pulled a trigger or not they had been his men, his men existed to carry out his orders, or they were replaced with those who could.

"Are you always this morbid? Hilde can only do so much I suppose," Quatre shrugged, Duo had his moments but he was nowhere near as casual and aloof about it. "Soldiers die, and I have yet to even hear a rumor that you prolong that outcome. I am no doubt being foolish, but I would like to think I was meant to meet you."

Trowa frowned slightly, the blond did not seem to notice as he continued as if talking to himself. "To what end?"

Quatre turned when he was not insulted or agreed with, as he had been expecting. Barton looked curious rather then annoyed or indifferent, he much prefer curious. "To help end this senseless fighting, it is a goal we both share."

Trowa nodded, the fact they were both working to end this conflict with a stable stalemate had already been established. "You think Fate is with us then?"

"I would like to think so, hopeful thinking perhaps, but who knows?" Quatre did not know many soldiers who were what he would call rather religious, most believed in a higher power and all, but little more. Duo was the only non-fanatic he knew among the rebels, there was nothing wrong strong convictions in principal.

Trowa frowned slightly considering that, people often used Fate and Destiny in pretty speeches, that did not mean they really believed in such things. "I am not one for taking orders from someone I cannot see."

"That does not surprise me at all," Quatre informed him with a bit of a smile so Barton knew he was teasing him a little. "Do you believe in any sort of higher power?"

"Not particularly, God is of little use to mercenaries." Trowa was fine with that, he had learned what he had needed to survive, and he had learned it well.

Quatre considered that, he could find no real fault in that statement as sad as that may be. "And now?"

Trowa tilted his head at him, "Does a fancy uniform and rank change that much?"

"I am no soldier, and I am fine with that, but that is not what I meant. You are not a mercenary anymore, maybe it is worth taking a moment to consider higher powers again." Duo had a rather unique way at looking at things, he was not a very good model Catholic, which was likely a good thing. Quatre had spent countless hours comparing and debating religion with him, Barton seemed curious at least.

"Hilde would agree, though my eternal soul is of little importance right now." Saving his soul could wait until his mission was completed, he had been very hard to kill when he was simply a child after all.

Quatre frowned but nodded, being open to an idea was a good first step, the others could wait. "Has there been an increase in Rebel activity?"

"No, I am sure Duo is well aware you have been taken by now." Trowa was not concerned about Duo, Quatre was another mater.

"Duo will not move until he is sure where I am, he will be more cautious since you have me rather then some underling." Duo had a knack for reckless genius like he had for dealing with people, it made going on raids with him rather memorable. "Have your orders regarding him changed?"

"Why would they? He is safe as long as there is a legitimate chance the Rebels and O.Z. can come to an agreement." Unless Duo became too dangerous to keep alive he would walk away relatively undamaged from any confrontation.

Quatre sighed as he sat down on the bed, "I really wish you would not make it sound like we would all start shooting if the talks fall through."

"Why would we not? If the Rebels will not stand down then you and the Federation will be eliminated, those are our orders." Trowa informed him as he reached for the discard pad, pausing when Quatre grabbed his arm. "You really should be more careful when doing something like that."

Quatre ignored the warning, Barton was not threatening him directly, and grabbing him like that had been impulsive and foolish. "We want peace, but we might not agree with how Treize will want to go about it. What are your orders if we disagree but are not an…interference to his plans?"

Trowa titled his head at the blond, "Why would you not try to interfere if you disagree strongly enough to side against him?"

Quatre glanced down at Barton's captured wrist, deadly hand holding the pad casually, sighing he looked back up at the hand's owner. "We are not his enemy, and you should know by now I do not want you to be mine."

Trowa frowned as he studied the blond's face for a moment before pulling away from him, "He may disagree."

Quatre blinked, lips parting to speak before frowning, sighing he simply lowered his head. He really did not want to think about what would happen if O.Z. and the Rebels could not come to see eye to eye. All he could hope to do was convince Duo, they did control most of the Rebel forces. "He might yes, I hope he does not." Risking a glance he caught Barton turn towards the door before it opened, relaxing when he saw it was Hilde. "Bad news?"

Hilde sighed handing Barton a steaming mug before sitting down beside Quatre on the bed, "You could say that. Netune is not a very smart man."

Trowa lowered the mug with a glare, "How dead do you want him?"

"Isn't he cute when he's protective? He did not lay a hand on me so just shot him hm? Intestines stick to the floors like left over spaghetti, and the cleaning staff is nice to me." Hilde knew Trowa would sever every joint the man had if she asked, fierce loyalty was one of his better qualities.

Quatre tilted his head at the conversation, the glare was no joke, and Hilde's response could have come right out of Duo. "What did he do, exactly?"

"Well…he really doesn't like the fact his punching bag was taken away from him." Hilde sighed, there was subduing prisoners and then there was beating them.

Quatre looked up at Barton who was frowning, looking at the wall rather then either of them. "He was most…unpleasant. I am not surprise he is displeased he does not have anyone to knock around."

"He will be dealt with, I already have the authorization." Trowa was in no mood to deal with Netune any longer. He was in even less of a mood to analyze why he wanted to kill him just as badly as he would had the fool touched Hilde.

"It is not like he has not been give chance after chance to change, each time he behaves only when being watched. Poor thing had no idea how closely you watch those under your command." Hilde stood and walked up to him, laying a hand on his shoulder drawling his attention. "It is why I like having you as my CO, you take care of those who behave themselves."

"Since when have you acted like a model solider?" Trowa asked arching a brow at her, Netune could live a little while longer.

Hilde smirked as she gently smacked the back of his head, "Jerk. I'll stay with Blondie, you go say Hi to Netune for me hm?"

Trowa smirked back before nodding, disposing of Netune would make him feel better, "No horror stories."

"Who me?" Hilde asked with mock innocence, giggling when Trowa frowned at her desire to end Netune's annoyance shorting his humor a bit. Holding up her hands she smiled reassuringly up at her very dangerous friend, he could get so damn focused. "I promise no horror stories, God you can be high maintenance."

Trowa arched a brow at the term normally reserved for needy partners, needy was not a term often inferred or implied when it came to him. "Exactly why I don't date."

Hilde shook her, she loved the guy but his lack of interest in personal pleasure worried her a little. He was always so gentle with her, it made her wonder if the blond would let go when Trowa offered his hand or not? She had but she had never been love with him, even if she did love him. It was something Trowa seemed to understand, at least on some level, since he never shied from her touch, or took her flirting as more then gentle teasing. She had no doubt there was something there, Trowa's reaction to Quatre's innocent comments about his kindness, Quatre's need to know who he was. It made her want to help, but other then making sure Quatre did not push too hard or too fast she was not sure what she could do. Sighing softly she turned to the blond, sure he was wondering how serious Trowa's parting comment had been. "You know you could ask, no horror stories promise."

Quatre frowned slightly at the exchange, not entirely sure how serious either was, though still sure Barton was not entirely joking. If the colonel did not enjoy showing his gentler side to the masses he surely would shy away from the intimate affections love inspired. It was a little depressing to him, thinking back on Hilde's stray cat analogy, time and patients soothed frayed nerves. When Hilde spoke he turned to look at her, her impish grin was so like Duo's, "I can guess."

"It's so cute how you try so hard not to pry, would Duo?" Hilde did find it charming but she wanted Quatre to just come out and ask now and then.

"Duo would not be all that interested in Barton's love life." Duo would not beyond simple curiosity, as Duo liked to try and figure others out and Barton would prove a frustrating puzzle. Once he knew, or at least guessed, Quatre was interested in him that would change, as Duo would either be encouraging or rant at him for falling for the enemy.

Hilde noted the tone, a hint of defensiveness, men were such males sometimes. "No I guess Duo would not, since he seems the kind to like interesting stories."

Quatre frowned, curious if Hilde was being coy just to be coy, or if she had some other reason. "Nothing to tell?"

Hilde sighed, "Other then a few miffed rejectees nope, though there are a few rumors. To be fair most times there are close working pairs rumors start, still bored solders are...creative. Netune no doubt has started a few about you out of spite, such a petty little man."

Quatre considered what kind of rumors he had heard bored Rebels repeat and nodded, soldiers were likely the same when bored, or rejected. When Netune was mentioned he frowned, not at all surprised the man would spread the kind of rumors Hilde seemed to be implying. "It will not be the first time."

"People will believe what the wish, or so Barton likes to remind me when I repeat the rumors to him. The more creative ones get a raised brow or a shake of the head but most are ignored unless they upset me, then someone ends up bleeding on the floor." Hilde smiled fondly, it was sweet how protective of her honor he was when he could care less about his own.

"Duo enjoys laughing about the ones he hears but I do not find many of them amusing." Quatre bit his lip as he paused for a moment, debating if he really wanted to ask let alone how to. "You said there were no horror stories?"

"Hard to get burned when you don't ever play with fire." Hilde was thankful for that much, children soldiers were often abused, though not always in the same ways. The sick things people did to children made her hate the human race sometimes.

Quatre nodded absently, he had heard a few horror stories before from runaways who were friends with Duo. His gifts made him hesitant to get close to people, most people did not want that kind of intimacy, and he could hardly blame them. "Do you often ask him to acquire people for you?"

Hilde smiled at the question that could be taken way out of context, "Now and then. When a Special makes a request it is never ignored, as you may have guessed. Now why don't you tell me what you think Duo will do? You don't want him getting on Barton's bad side anymore then I do, trust me."

2... … …THIS…IS…WAR… … ...2

Netune turned gun drawn, frowning into the poorly lit empty cargo bay, "Who's there? I am armed!" Heels clinked off the floor, echoing around him, their owner clearly not impressed. "I'll kill you."

Trowa chuckled at the threat walking into the light, arms loosely crossed, head tilted to the side, "Oh will you now?"

"Barton. What sick game are you playing anyway?" Netune ordered, frowning when the younger man began to lazily circle him, "Well?"

"Come now Netune why do you think?" Trowa did not care if the older man truly did not know, or was simply in denial, it made no difference to him at all.

"Tried of the blond already?" Netune had no doubt in his mind the blonde had noticed how attractive his keeper was, he had to have been kissing up for a while now.

Trowa sighed at the petty comment, "Your petty jealousy is of no interest to me." Leveling twin pistols he sneered at the paled man, "You are of no further use."

"What did your little slut accuse me of?" Netune demanded, swallowing when dark eyes narrowed dangerously.

"This is no longer even mildly amusing, pity." Gun shots echoed over screams as he shot out joints. Netune lay on the floor, blood pooling, begging pitifully for him to stop, forgive him, other nonsense Trowa ignored. Dropping the empty clip into the growing pool of blood he reloaded before replacing his left handgun. Leveling the right he emptied it into the man's chest before replacing that clip as well. Frowning at the dead man he turned and walked away, the story of Netune's fate would be ship known in an hour or so, the fleet less then a week. The Silencer was not to be crossed, end of story.

2... … …THIS…IS…WAR… … ...2

And Netune made a right bloody mess all over one of Trowa's nice clean floors. I do hope all of the Hilde fans out there are happy with her, I always liked her myself. Duo will be introduced in chapter three so rejoice...going to pretend that you did.