Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Battle of the Heart (formerly untitled) ❯ Gazing at the Crimson Skies ( Chapter 5 )

A/N: Here is chapter five...it's about time, ne? Sorry for the delay, but what with working on Song of the Phoenix and this story-not to mention juggling school and such...well I've been rather busy. I'm typing quite diligently, though...I hope my chapters are up to par with reader expectations. I post my stories to understand what I need to improve, and feedback always helps.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or any of its characters.

"Gazing at the Scarlet Skies"

Hilde shifted back and forth on her feet in anticipation. Her senses were on their highest alert, straining for sound or sight of anything. Her hands were clasped together in front of her body and her cornflower blue eyes were wide, shifting across the sunlit alley slowly. To anyone passing by it would seem she was waiting for someone...and his or her speculations would prove true.

A slight tap on her shoulder caused the young woman to start, and she turned around quickly, coming face-to-face with a pair of brilliant violet eyes.

"You're going to kill me, sneaking up on me like that, Duo!" Hilde exclaimed, one hand clutching her heart as if to steady her breathing. She offered him a smile, which abruptly faded as she observed the seriousness lacing his features.

"Sorry, milady," he murmured, running a hand through his wondrously long hair, pulled back in its signature braid. It always amused Hilde how he called her "milady," even though he was of knighthood, noble blood, while she was a commoner. But now it only disturbed her slightly.

Ignoring the "milady" comment, Hilde put her speculation into an inquiry. "What's wrong?" she asked. Duo's eyes rose to meet hers and the raven-haired woman was struck by the intensity of his gaze. He seemed to sear her soul, and Hilde felt strangely vulnerable-like everything was out in the open. With a shudder she wrapped her arms around her slim torso.

"The remaining squires are being knighted soon," he replied, breaking eye contact and looking over her shoulder. "We will be marching into battle on the eve of tomorrow."

A cold chill clutched at Hilde's heart, twisting it painfully in her chest. "But how long will it be until you reach Lord Treize's army?"

Leaning against the wall in a gesture of casualty, but looking anything but casual, Duo replied, "I honestly do not know. Khushrendada's last attack was perilously close to the manor, and Lord Shang wanted to dispose the army as soon as possible." Once again his violet gaze captured Hilde's. "I'm not afraid to die, Hilde." The use of her name captured her attention more than it normally would have.

With bravado backed by nervousness and fear, the German woman took a step closer to the young squire she had only recently begun to understand and know. She couldn't help the slight quaking of her hands and she grasped his hands. His hands felt warm and steady, and she felt weak as her hands trembled in his.

"But-I fear for you," she whispered, not having the courage to look into his eyes. She didn't want to see pity or disgust like she knew she was bound to observe. She couldn't see Duo bite his lip and turn away. But she did feel his hands pull away from hers. Hilde took a shaky breath and started to turn when she felt strong arms envelope her petite body.

"I don't want to die, Hilde..." he whispered in her ear, his warm breath caressing the tiny curls framing her face. Her own arms came to clutch around his body and the two stood like that for what seemed an eternity. Each holding on to the other like a life line.

But perhaps they were the other's life line...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sally's footfalls fell silently on the stone, and the young woman moved soundlessly across the sunlit courtyard. Her gender was disguised with a pair of breeches and a long cloak. She moved quickly, not wishing to risk being recognized by one of the knights or squires. It was widely known that the Lord's daughter had made it a habit of sneaking amongst their numbers, and the knights had been more alert than was usual.

Moving towards an open doorway, sky blue eyes observed a young Chinese man as he knelt gathering his few possessions from underneath a hard cot. His senses were immediately alerted to the presence of the intruder, and he turned to stare at her with hard eyes.

"Duo's not here," Wufei told her, turning back around and occupying himself with piles of belongings. The fighting practice has gone quite well yesterday, and Sally was suppose to meet Duo and Wufei once more for a repeat performance.

Sally took a few more steps in, coming to squat beside the young squire. She pulled back the hood of her cloak, trusting luck that no one else would walk in and see her.

"Is it true?" the blonde woman asked, looking sidelong at Wufei. "Are the squires being knighted and heading out into battle?" Sally had heard her father discussing battle plans, and her eavesdropping had provided her with valuable information she wouldn't have otherwise been provided. She wasn't required to know such things.

"Yes," the Chinese man spared her a look, and she was pleased to see him look mildly amused. "I'm curious as to your methods of obtaining such information..." Sally grinned.

"I'm sure you are," she said with a wink, resting her hands on her thighs. Her mood turned serious. "Did you know my father was planning on riding out with you?" His surprised look answered her question, but he responded anyway.

"No, I wasn't told that," he admitted, his expression serious. Sally marveled at how his mouth drew down and his brow creased, making him appear older than he really was. It seemed to her that his laugh was a rare occurrence. For some reason that seemed awfully sad to her...

"I'm supposed to run things at the manor while father is absent..." she said quietly, her eyes falling to the floor. "If the attack you ride into fails, the manor will be virtually defenseless." Sally could feel Wufei's ebony eyes gaze intently at her, in that fierce expression he always wore. She was unable to meet his stare.

"Are you frightened?" the ebony-haired squire inquired, his tone anything but accusing. Sally's pride flared up in indignation, but she couldn't deny the underlying terror in her gut. And she didn't think he intended the comment to be an accusation.

"Lord Treize is said to be honorable," she offered, ignoring Wufei's earlier question. "He wouldn't kill me."

Wufei frowned. "And that doesn't assure you?"

Sally tilted her head, capturing his gaze. "No, not at all. I could never concede to defeat so easily. I would much rather go down fighting." A pair of dark eyebrows drew together.

"Damn your foolish pride, woman!" he admonished.

"Oh, you're one to talk!" she exclaimed in defense, scowling to hide a slight hurt she received from his comment. Was it wrong she wanted to die in battle...like her father surely would?

"I can't deny that," Wufei admitted, and his sudden acceptance quelled Sally's anger, and her defenses lowered once more. Her gaze softened and she turned away. Something made her trust this young man before her, and she decided to tell him of her plans...

"I think I'm going to follow the army..." she told him, wincing as she felt his head snap quickly to look at her in astonishment. Here it comes...

"Stick by Duo and I. You can't get caught again," Wufei said, standing up and slinging a bag over his shoulder. Sally's jaw dropped in pure bewilderment. She had been expecting rebuke, disapproval...

Wufei smirked at her confused stare. "There is no way we can win this battle. I agree with you on your point of not wanting to be under Lord Treize's control. Are you coming or not?" Sally jumped up, thankful for his understanding and acceptance. Maybe he wasn't so bad after all.

Sally threw her arms around Wufei in a quick hug, noting how he stiffened at the gesture. Foolish, emotional woman, he chided to himself, unable to speak the words aloud.

"Thank you," she whispered, before dashing out the door, throwing her hood over her face. She had to leave before her father gave her the duties for running the manor. True, she was blowing off her responsibilities, but she had never been cut out for rule. She might as well not have a royal bone in her body. She hoped to find closure on the battlefield, and, if she was honest with herself, she knew she wasn't ready. She was less experienced and would die quickly in the war. But she would rather die than live confined.

And maybe she would die standing by her newfound friends.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lucrezia stood silently, her skin alit in the dying sunlight. The glowing ruby orb was falling over the hill, casting a blood-red hue across the land. Lucrezia was never the suspicious one, but the crimson skies could only signal a bad omen. Her mind wandered to the feudal conflict brewing up, and she wondered nervously how long it would take until the battles ended.

A stale wind stirred the raven lock framing her pretty face, and she pushed them behind her ears in idle annoyance. When her mind was not on the Po's predicament, it inevitably strayed to the flaxen-haired man who held her heart and forever would. She wished adamantly that they could be together, but the conflict of their titles stood in the way. This disheartened the young Italian slightly, but she still attempted to enjoy the time spent with him. If it was all she had, she should enjoy it completely.

Her violet eyes turned as she felt a warm hand on her shoulder, and she caught sight of Zechs standing slightly behind her.

"It has started…" he told her, and she didn't need any explanation. The war was starting…Sally, I hope you're okay, she thought to herself, throwing her arms around her body and a sudden chill passed through her.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lord Shang gazed at the army before him, full of proud knights ready to die at a moment's notice. He didn't intend to return from this fight, and the knights knew they were most likely riding to their deaths. Their dedication touched Shang, and he couldn't help a small smile of pride, grim though the times were.

He was slightly disappointed he hadn't seen his daughter before they rode off. Perhaps it was best, though, for she always was a smart girl. She understood he wouldn't come back, and a goodbye might have been too tearful. Of course, he was never exceptionally close to his daughter, but most women were emotionally weaker.

Shang's gaze took in the deadly beauty of the blood-red sunset. So appropriate.

A/N: Okies, here's chapter five. I admit, it was shorter than I would have liked. Oh, and before you flame: Shang's comment about women was the general idea of medieval population, when women were considered weaker and such. Oh yeah, and Wufei is allowing Sally to come with them because he understands her predicament, and if he was in her position he would do the same. So he's relating with her. Alrighty, now that we have that cleared up…can I get some reviews? Pretty please?

Luvvies, KaT aka Mistress Shinigami