Gundam Wing Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Time's Wheel ❯ Chapter 21: Awakening, the Aftermath of Battle ( Chapter 23 )

A drop of moisture falls onto his cheek and Duo attempts to crack his eyes open, cobalt orbs staring at a darkened landscape. He peers through the forest of grass, staring at the stone structure of a nearby building, the foundation still smoldering from ravaging flames. A curtain of water falls before his vision, soaking the ground and covering everything in a thick mud. The rain on his skin feels cool, but inside the temperature in his body is raging, the water outside unable to put out the fire inside.

The braid at the back of his head, his pride and joy, has become unraveled, chestnut hair washing over him in tangles, dirt and blood coating his normally, soft, silky locks. Pieces of it hang in Duo's eyes and shadow his face, allowing him to hide behind the curtain.

Duo's hand once again reaches for the hole in his stomach, placing pressure on the wound in an effort to try and staunch the flow of blood, this time with a less violent reaction. He attempts to keep his eyes open, screaming silently at his body, begging it to stay awake, that it must not travel into the abyss that had swallowed him up those several months previous-- months that now seem like ages ago. As the world around him darkens, everything turning to shades of gray, he dimly realizes that this time, he may not be able to crawl out again. The only God that had ever had a place in his life, the God of Death, may finally have him at last. The last thing he is conscious of is the rain, falling steadily on his body, the heavens weeping for the souls of the dead, summoning the god that brings the lost ones to Styx's shores.

He ran through the city, his feet carrying him over ancient streets, hair flowing freely down his back, a mass of uncombed tangles. His short legs burn from the exertion, muscles screaming for relief-- a pain that he can not ease at the moment because he must keep going. A life hangs in the balance.

Gloom had settled over the city, the smog from the endless rows of factories clogging up the air, making it difficult to breath, burning the lungs and tearing up the inside of the throat. The sounds of crying can be heard from the alleyways, men and women both-- there are no children. Sirens sound in the distance, far away from this end of the city, coming from the small upper class area on the other side of the colony; no doubt some foolish gang trying to get their hands on some rather expensive goods, sticking their noses where they don't belong. Barrel fires are lit here and there, each canister surround by a mob of bodies huddled around it for its small warmth.

A typical sector of the L2 colony.

The sounds of pursuit come from behind him, heavy boots echoing over concrete and coming closer with each stride. The boy curses under his breath quickening his pace. A shot rings out and he feels the trail of a bullet graze his left ear, leaving a cool feeling in its wake, a kiss of the wind on his sensitive skin.

He clutches his precious package, pulling the brown bag closer to his body. He can not fail.

Nearly silent footsteps, soft healed boots over moistened earth, a cool touch at his feverish brow, a familiar presence at the back of his mind.

He vaults over the chain-linked fence, easily scaling the obstacle and outmaneuvering the force at his back. His trademark grin crossing his face. It was hardly any challenge at all.

He allows his pace to slow slightly, trying to catch his breath while still keeping a steady pace. Continuing down the street, he passes rows of old warehouses, in shambles since the moment the OZ organization took over. His path is mostly deserted; very few people are out this time of night, a mere two hours before the break of dawn. Even L2 must sleep.

Upon reaching the docks, he takes a sharp left, sending him between one of the rundown warehouses and the old mobile suit factory that was shut down nearly four years ago, now serving as the home of the only family he has ever known.

Moving around the building, he makes his way in to the back door, knocking twice to get the attention of the guard on the other side. The panel on the door slides open, the rusty metal screeching as it comes in contact with the metal on the door, which is in an equally poor state.

A pair of hazel eyes greets him at the door, narrowed at first and then widening with shock and relief. The door is flung open and before he can take in another breath another body presses closely against his, arms coming around his body, pulling him into a secure hug, fingers twining themselves in loose hair. It takes a moment for him to recover, but he finally forces his body to relax, allowing his head to rest upon hair the shade of fine sand, the warm body pressed close to his giving him a sense of immediate warmth and security.

Duo's eyes snap open, the curtains of blackness departing slightly for a moment, placing him in a kind of half consciousness. The world around him is a bleary brown and he is having trouble taking in air. He wonders for a moment why it is so hard to breathe, but can not stay focused long enough to puzzle it out.

Pain darts through his stomach and he feels something cold against his skin, sending shocks of ice through his body. Instinctively, he begins to thrash, forcing the pressure to leave his body. The presence leaves but is immediately replaced by another force on his shoulders, anchoring him down.

"…awake…"

"…too strong…must hold him…don't want…"

"Luc hurry! He's…"

A feather light touch graces his cheek, an accent to a similar touch on his mind. His vision begins to fade again, the touch wrapping him in comfort. He can not feel any longer.

The girl in his arms pulls away, hazel eyes shining. "You came back."

"Of course I came back. I wouldn't lie to you-- if I say I'm coming back, I mean it. Where's Solo, Juu?"

Juu's brow furrows slightly, a hint of worry in her bright eyes. He's in the control room, but…"

He answers her frown with one of his own. Throwing a word of thanks over his shoulder, he runs through the open door and into the factory. The building appears large with no one to fill, the only people still there lying face down on the floor or in a small ball. Coughs and cries of despair fill the room, moans coming from every corner-- many are too sick to even move. The air has a foul smell to it, the scent of the dead and they dying clogging up the corridors. The plague had spread quickly and had caught them all off guard. Many had fallen ill, some dying within hours, others suffering for days or even months.

The boy races up the flight of stairs at top speed, making his way to the windowed room at the top of the building, his feet never making a sound over the iron. When he comes to the door, he pauses for a moment, hesitant to just simply barge in, but knowing that no one would answer his call if he knocked. Even though the gesture had little purpose except to satisfy his own misgivings about invading his friend's privacy, he knocks on the door before pushing it open and poking his head inside.

The room is dim, only one light in the center of the room is lit, casting an eerie shadow over its surroundings. The entire room is spotlessly clean, yet more evidence of Solo's condition-- had he been feeling well, no one would be able to see so much as the floor. A tray of food rests on the control panel, mostly untouched, only the apple having a few bite marks. At least Solo is trying, he has not yet given in.

Violent hacking form the back wall draws his attention and he pulls the brown bag closer to his side, moving silently over to his fallen friend. Solo's longish blond hair is slick with sweat and plastered to his pillow and the sides of his face, his wan features causing a rising worry to rise in the boy at his side. Icy blue eyes are closed, pale lids shutting off their light, lashes casting shadows over a ghostly complexion. His lips are parted slightly, struggling to draw in air, making his breaths raspy and labored. He shivers slightly and struggles to reach the covers that he had pushed away earlier.

The boy kneels down and grabs the end of the tattered blanket, pulling it over his friend sadly. Hot and cold chills have been wracking his body for days, giving him no peace. He lays a cool hand against his friend's brow, wincing as Solo retreats from his touch; his fever is raging.

Solo's eyelids flicker slightly, opening slowly so that he can adjust to the light, even though the single light in the room offers very little of it to begin with. He stares around for a moment, confusion reflected in his hazy gaze, not able to focus on anything solid.

Finally, his eyes come to rest on the figure at his side and he attempts a weak smile. "Duo, you're back."

For a moment, some of the life returns to his eyes and the Solo he knew returns. . Duo fights the onslaught of tears threatening to fall down his cheeks, the water already accumulating in his eyes. He lifts his arm and wipes off the wetness on his sleeve, putting on a mask that hid the weakness and devastation that is threatening to tear his entire being to pieces.

Solo's eyes fall on the brown bag under his arm and he sighs, a large weight being lifted off his shoulders. "You got it."

Intense pain runs through his body, rough hands pinning him down by the shoulders, another set at his stomach, pressing down hard enough to cause the torture that has drawn him from the dreaming world. His body arches and the hands at his shoulders grip his body more firmly, fingers digging into muscles.

"Hold him…"

"…he…too much blood…"

Another burst of pain, and he is out again like a light.

"Yes, I managed to get in rather easily. I was expecting more resistance to tell the truth."

"That is good," Solo whispers, his voice losing more strength, his eyes flickering closed again for the moment.

Duo reaches for his hand, clasping it tightly in his own. The limb he holds is outright skeletal due to the plague that has brought L2 to its knees. "You should be okay now, we have the vaccine."

Solo shakes his head sadly, tears flowing freely now. "I'm sorry."

Duo shakes his head, trying to rid himself of the river running down the sides of his face. He knew though, he had known since the plague had gripped his friend that it was over, he just never wanted to admit it. He hadn't wanted to accept the fact that the person who had taken him in, the one who had taken care of him would be leaving forever.

"You can save the other though, those who are not too far along," Solo says, his voice sounding genuinely happy. That is Solo, always placing others before himself, even if he must suffer for their wellbeing, as he had suffered for Duo's. "They can live on, that is what's important."

Solo sighs, his head turning to the side so that he can remain focused on his friend. "Take care of them Duo, they're going to need you."

Duo drops the package, hitting the ground with that same fist, sending a small shockwave through the floor and causing Solo to visibly wince. "It's not fair!" The scream is wrenched from his throat, expressing the depth of pain and loss-- he no longer tries to hide his tears and they flow freely now. "Why should you have to die? When we need you most, why must you leave us, leave me?"

A hand graces the skin on his cheek, small and frail but still familiar. It is the same hand that comforted him when live dealt him hard blows. It is the hand that had pulled him out of grasp of a rival gang leader, putting the lid on a night that would have ended very badly for him, whether he had lived through it or not. That hand has calmed fits of weeping and held together wounds, coated just as much in tears as in blood. Duo knows the hand almost instinctively now, trusting it without thought. It is the hand of his brother, a sibling held to him not by blood but by pain.

Duo gazes into the eyes in front of him, clear for the first time in days. "Life often hardest on those whom fate has left nothing. Death comes to us all. It is not prejudice and shows no preference for age or sex. It can come in the waking world or in the realm of dreams. It has come for me as it will one day come for you."

Duo grips the hand in his a little tighter. "If you go, I'm coming with you."

"No!" Duo is forced to look up at the words, startled by the sudden strength in his friend's voice. "You have to live. Life is not something you should give up, even if the road is a little rocky. You have all eternity to remain dead, but you only get to live once. Promise me Duo, promise me that you will continue living."

"I promise."

"You can't break that promise now."

"I never tell a lie."

Solo smiles at the words and closes his eyes. He takes in one last breath, allowing a final word to pass his lips. "Live."

A girl's face rises in his memory, black hair flying out behind her, the setting sun casting violet highlights through every strand, matching beautiful eyes that are locked on his. Those orbs, although they appear innocent enough, seem to hold the wisdom of ages in their depth, the purple hue drawing him in to their endless depths. He's drowning and he doesn't even try to hold his head above water, he simply allows himself to be submerged. Her complexion is as fine as porcelain, pale without being overly white, not a single mark or scar on her fine skin. Her frame is thin, a girl small for her age. She is dressed from head to toe in black, the silk of her midnight dress clinging to her every curve, the bottom disturbed by an unfelt breeze. She wears no jewelry or makeup, allowing a natural beauty to shine through. There is nothing fake about her, never wanting to hide behind a mask of cosmetics. Her smile is disarming, shy and hesitant, sending a chill up his spine. All around, small dots of light dance merrily, adding a hint of magic to the scene before him.

Live.

Duo rises slowly out of the darkness, allowing all senses to return. The area around him is quiet except for the sound of night animals that are just now awakening. He is content to simply allow his body to rest on the soft surface beneath him, feeling linen wrapped around his body and under his head. His breathing is slightly constricted and judging by the itchiness that is terrorizing his skin, he can assume that his chest and stomach are tightly bound. He feels the same irritation in his leg-- which too has been bound. Duo's head is pounding but he ignores it, pushing the pain away without so much as a thought. He'd rather not move yet, that's for sure.

-So, you're awake.

Slightly perturbed that he will not be allowed to sleep, Duo slowly opens his eyes, waiting for the fogginess to clear. "Yes, I'm awake. Where am I?"

"You're at the Inn at Cecil," Luc replies evenly, his voice masking something that he is careful not to let slip. "You've been asleep for nearly four days," he adds.

"Four days!" Duo cries, slightly surprised at how hoarse his voice is. Opening his eyes fully, he places on hand at his side and attempts to sit up, biting back a cry of pain as the wound on his stomach complains. He nearly falls back again, his vision dimming, but a strong arm is already waiting behind him, allowing him to borrow some strength. Cool glass is placed against his lips and water flows slowly into his dry mouth. He only has time for a small sip before it is pulled away, the arm behind him lowering him gently back to the pillows.

The silence stretches on for a moment before Luc decides to add anything else to this poor excuse for a conversation. "You had Eileen worried sick you know. It took her forever to patch you up."

"Sorry." Duo glances around the room and sure enough Eileen is resting nearby on a small couch, her hair spilling freely across the cushions, dark circles under her eyes. A dark figure stands near the window, wings tucked in tightly behind him; Alaois had also been watching him.

Luc follows his gaze, alternating between the two other people in the room. "Eileen has been watching you since the first night. Alaois and I finally sent her to bed this evening, the two of us promising numerous times to keep an eye on you."

"Thank you for your concern," Duo mumbles, still not catching a glimpse of the figure he has been searching for. Perhaps she is in another room? Had she been hurt, is that why she isn't here?

"Luc, where is Hotaru?"

Luc waits for a moment, taking time to formulate his words. "They took her, Duo."

"What?" Duo stares at Luc, hoping that he had not heard what he thought he heard, vainly hoping that there has been some mistake, that Hotaru will come through the door in the next second and announce that what Luc has just said is some kind of cruel joke. The door remains closed.

"Death took her during the battle. When he got a hold of her, the battle stopped, it is the only reason any of us are alive right now."

"They took her?"

"Yes."

"Can we get her back?"

Luc pauses for a moment, turning the statement over in his mind. Duo watches as Luc's eyes close, some unseen emotion crossing his face. As pale as he is, Duo sincerely doubted that he could get any whiter. Finally, Luc's eyes open again, steel locking together with cobalt.

"How far are you willing to go to get her back?" he asks.

"As far as it takes," Duo replies without any hesitation.

"Would you go anywhere, even to the depths of Hell itself."

"Yes."

Suddenly, Luc smiles-- not the half smile or the tiny smirk that Duo had caught fleeting glimpses of, but a true smile. "You are one piece of work Duo," he says, shaking his head. "I think I've only met one other person my entire life as stubborn as you, and as caring. I hope you're not lying."

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