Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Kaifuku ❯ Chapter 5

Status: Betaed by Avatar-chik.

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o. o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.

Kaifuku

Ch..5.

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o. o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.

He wandered through the streets for days, walking past one construction site after another. The whole colony was under construction. The workers didn't even spare him a glance. They were so caught up in their work that even a wandering child didn't catch their attention. All the better, he should remain hidden from sight as much as possible.

It was hunger that drew him out of his hiding place, in an abandoned construction site. He hadn't eaten since the day Odin had died. At first, he didn't have an appetite, but after a few days, the hunger developed. His body could no longer sustain itself on the feelings of betrayal, grief, and anger alone.

There weren't any shops on the colony and he didn't have any money. Odin taught him how to hunt once, but long ago when they had a mission on Earth. There weren't any wild animals on a colony, not even cats or dogs. His only chance was to steal, perhaps from the military base which also supplied food for the construction workers. With any luck, he could sneak into the base without being detected.

He stumbled here and there while walking towards the base, too weak and hungry to even walk properly. He had barely slept since Odin's death. He had spent the nights staring into thin air, his mind empty. He missed Odin's spaghetti and meatballs. He would give anything for another meal with the man sitting across the table, skimming over his mission plans.

He sighed, which was quite unlike him, and shook his head. He needed to pull himself together. What kind of soldier would he be if he gave in to childish aspirations?

Nevertheless, he was a small child and his mind sometimes amused itself with dreams and hopes. He thought about how wonderful it would be if suddenly Odin would appear from around the corner and smile that goofy smile he had when he got busted doing something wrong. He'd rub the back of his head in embarrassment and say he was sorry for getting lost during a mission.

Of course, he knew that Odin didn't get lost. He was right where he had left him - dead on the floor of one of the buildings at the base. He also knew that there was no chance of seeing him again because he blew up the building, using the explosives Odin had planted in the command center. That had been his final mission. Now his mission would be solely to survive.

It wasn't fair, but nothing in life was ever fair. Losing his parents had been unfair, and now Odin was dead too. Everyone ended up dead around him, and it hurt. He tried not to feel the pain, but his small heart was only eight years of age. It still felt; still bled; still hoped. Somewhere in the depths of his heart there was still hope that it had all been a nightmare and when he'll open his eyes again, Odin would be there rebuking him for oversleeping.

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o. o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.

"Hey, wake up," a soft female voice called to him.

Hiiro opened his eyes. He found himself leaning on a desk, drooling all over a bunch of paperwork. Quickly, he straightened back in his seat, and looked at the woman. He had no idea who she was, or for that matter - where he was.

"What is this place?" He croaked, his voice rough from sleep.

The woman, a policewoman he gathered from her uniform, seemed astonished.

"You can speak English?!"

He frowned, annoyed. "I just did, didn't I?"

The officer seemed relieved and let out a small laugh. "Yes, yes you did."

"What am I doing here?" He demanded, scanning the police station with a swift gaze.

"You were strolling the streets in the rain, disoriented. We brought you here to try and help you."

Hiiro strained to remember, but his mind came up blank. The last thing he could remember was planning to escape from the boat.

"I'm glad to see you came back to your senses," the woman said and pulled out a chair so she could sit by him, "Can you tell me your name?"

He considered replying truthfully, but then thought against it. Instead he gave her the first name that came to mind: "Duo."

"Duo?" She raised an eyebrow, skeptic.

He berated himself for giving her a name that was too unique. Plus, it didn't really coincide with his Asian appearance. Although, he felt like two different people at the moment. If the name wasn't already taken, he would have found it suitable.

Sighing, he shook his head. "No, it's Hiiro."

"Hiiro," she repeated, pleased, "It's nice to meet you, I'm Leslie."

He really didn't care for her name. All he wanted was to get out of there. Police stations made him cranky. He'd been arrested once, back on colony X18999 when he stole some food from the military base. That experience hadn't been a very pleasant one, even when they had eventually let him go. Back then they had bigger fish to fry, such as searching for the terrorists that attacked the command center. Little did they know that he'd been the one responsible.

But why was he reminiscing? What had he been thinking about before? Oh yes, getting out of the police station.

"May I leave now?" He asked the woman, adding an impatient glare just for the effect.

The officer shook her head. "I'm sorry, but the Chief wants you evaluated by a doctor."

'Doctor'; just hearing the word made him want to cringe.

"No thank you, I'm fine." He stood up. Leslie stood up as well.

"I'm sure you feel fine now, but you're still a minor and we can't let you go unless your parents come for you. If you give me a phone number at home, I can make the call for you."

"I don't have any parents. Just let me go," he said with irritation, upset at the mere mention that he was 'still a minor'.

"Hiiro, even if you ran away from home, I'm still obliged to inform your parents. You can't leave yet."

He turned to look at her, his blue eyes burning intensely. "What don't you understand? I have no parents; I'm old enough to take care of myself. I've been doing it for long enough, believe me. I don't need your permission to leave, I'm simply being polite. Stand in my way and you'll regret it."

His voice was cold and eerily calm. It left the woman gaping at him, completely shocked. Hiiro used the opportunity to walk past her and leave.

"Wait!" she called after him, whirling around. All she managed to see was the boy's back disappear behind a corner that lead to the elevator room.

As Hiiro walked past the corner and into the elevators' hallway, one of the elevators' doors opened. Nicolai stepped onto the floor, his face grim.

Hiiro halted, surprised. Just then Leslie came running from behind the corner.

As Nicolai spotted her as well, his features immediately softened. He placed a hand behind his head and laughed sheepishly.

"Hiiro, there you are!" he called out in over-acted relief, "I'm so sorry I let you get lost like that!"

Hiiro stared at the man, unable to decide what to make of his strange reaction. Behind him, Leslie cleared her throat.

"I'm sorry, are you this boy's father?"

Nicolai pulled his hand from behind his head and extended it into a handshake. "Nicolai Smirnov, I'm Hiiro's legal guardian."

"Oh," the woman let out, half confused, half relieved. Hiiro just scowled at the whole thing.

"We picked up your boy at Main Street; he seemed very disoriented," she said, raising and eyebrow in question and expecting an explanation.

"Yes, I know, it happens sometimes. I can explain."

"Please do," Hiiro muttered, shaking his head with disbelief. Who was Nicolai trying to fool?

Leslie lead the two into the Chief's office. Before they entered, Nicolai turned to Hiiro and kindly requested that he would wait outside. Hiiro brushed him off with a glare and entered the office. Sighing, the man followed him in.

"Mr. Smirnov, is it?" the Chief asked as the two shook hands. He gestured at the seat in front of his desk.

"Yes," Nicolai said and sat down.

"And he's your boy?"

"Yes," he nodded, "I was on my way here to report him missing. Imagine how relieved I was when I walked out of the elevator and there he was."

Meanwhile, Hiiro stood at the back of the room, leaning against the wall with his arms folded across his chest. He watched to the scene play out, reminded of times long ago when a different man had to make similar excuses to policemen and doctors.

'The kid was playing on a tree, you know how five year olds are - he fell. But I should have paid more attention to him, you're absolutely right. It won't happen again, I assure you...'

Hiiro looked up at the man sitting on the chair in front of him and frowned deeply.

"Hiiro was in a car crash about a year ago," Nicolai explained, "the doctors did the best they could, but there were some things that are beyond modern medicine. He gets confused sometimes, that's all. I should have paid more attention to him, I'm sorry. It won't happen again, I assure you."

The Chief nodded gravely. "I understand. Mr. Smirnov, please don't take this the wrong way, but I still need to ask you for official papers. It's standard procedure."

"Of course," Nicolai said and pulled something out of his coat's pocket. He handed a few folded papers to the Chief.

Hiiro tensed, ready to run if necessary. It was an old habit. Sometimes Odin's papers weren't convincing enough and they had to make a run for it. It was strange how he felt that same urgency now.

Leslie also seemed to be paying close attention to the Chief's face as he skimmed over the papers. Finally, the man nodded and handed Nicolai the papers.

"It looks legit. I'm sorry for the trouble. You may leave."

"Thank you," Nicolai said and shook the man's hand again. He got up and turned to Hiiro, a fake smile plastered on his face. "C'mon, let's go home."

The situation was too much of a déjà vu. It made him numb somehow. The Sparks were pushing against a thick wall with all their might, trying to force his mind to some conclusion. But the wall was too thick, too well guarded. It refused to surrender to speculation. Those walls had been erected long ago and for a good reason. They were a protection against an invading force Hiiro couldn't afford to encounter: hope.

He followed Nicolai quietly out of the building.

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o. o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.

It was almost dawn and the air was crisp and cool. Since Nicolai traveled by boat, he didn't have a car present and they had to walk back to the marina. Nicolai lead the way and Hiiro followed silently. The man had given him his coat and he held it close to his chest so it would not slip off of him. His nose filled with the scent of cigarettes and aftershave. It was a mixture of odors that nudged something in the back of his mind. Again The Sparks charged at the wall. Hiiro ignored their efforts. Many have tried to break through that wall, including Relena, Duo, and even himself. It was unbreakable.

Looking up at the man's back walking ahead of him, Hiiro could feel the tension in the air. Nicolai was obviously upset, or even irate. He could tell by the way the man was walking. He usually wasn't so receptive of people, but for some reason he could read the man's body language easily.

"I know you were trying to escape Hiiro," Nicolai ended the silence with a disappointed statement, but continued walking without turning to look at Hiiro. They were almost at the river bank, approaching the bridge.

"I just don't understand why," he continued, the frustration clear in his voice. "What reason have I given you to distrust me?"

Hiiro didn't answer; he didn't feel it was necessary. They continued walking in silence, crossing the bridge as the first rays of sunlight lit the horizon.

At the middle of the bridge, Hiiro stopped and turned to look at the sunrise. Behind Athlone's ancient buildings, the sky was painted a beautiful pink and blue. A few birds flew past the river, and down by the water, swans searched for food.

Nicolai noticed that Hiiro had stopped walking and did the same. He waited patiently, leaning on the stone banister as he studied Hiiro's face. The teenager seemed deep in thought.

"Who are you?" Hiiro finally asked, turning to Nicolai with a troubled look in his eyes. "What business do you have with me?"

"Business? I have no business with you Hiiro," Nicolai replied bitterly. He pulled a cigarette box and a lighter out of his back pocket.

Hiiro didn't see the point in asking anymore useless questions. Nicolai was obviously not going to answer them.

He continued to stand a few steps away from the man, as Nicolai turned to face the river. Leaning on the thick stone banister, the man exhaled a long string of smoke and gazed down at the river. The bridge was overlooking the port and Hiiro could spot their boat from where he stood.

"You know," Nicolai suddenly said, "I once watched this documentary series where they interviewed a bunch of children from all over the world: New York, Moscow, Tokyo... everywhere. They filmed them when they were young children; and then came back to film them again seven years later when they were in junior high. Then they came back another seven years later to check up on them, and so on."

"What are you talking about?" Hiiro interrupted, annoyed.

"It was interesting to see how they changed. I mean, it's amazing how you see this little kid and then seven years later, it's still the same face but only grown up. They turned from these tiny people to an actual person."

"Don't all children grow up eventually?" Hiiro commented dryly, trying to figure out where Nicolai was going with his story.

The man took a long drag and exhaled the smoke slowly. "What was really amazing was when they asked the children what they wanted to be when they grew up. They all said that they wanted to follow in their father's footsteps. If their father was a rice farmer, then they wanted to grow rice. If he was an engineer, they wanted to become one too. If he was a soldier, they wanted to join the army."

Nicolai sighed and threw the cigarette bud down to the water. "But when the same children were asked that question seven years later, they decided that they wanted to do something different with their lives."

He turned to look at Hiiro, "I just want to make sure you're also given the chance to change your mind. That's my business with you."

Hiiro stared, completely dumbfound. "I don't follow."

Nicolai didn't answer. Sighing deeply, he shook his head in discontent and pushed himself off the banister. "Come on, let's get going. You're probably starved after all of this."

Hiiro waited for the man to take a few steps forward, and then, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, followed him to the boat.

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o. o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.

After breakfast, Hiiro waited by the table until Nicolai finished washing the dishes. He then waited for him to retire to his cabin to sleep. Only after he was sure that the man was asleep did Hiiro go to his own bedroom to catch some much needed rest. He felt safer knowing that Nicolai was also sleeping; that way the man was less likely to do something suspicious.

Despite his fatigue, he couldn't bring himself to sleep. Lying in bed, he stared at the skylight and watched the rain clouds drift across the sky. He pondered over what Nicolai had said on the bridge. It made little sense to him. What difference did it make to the man if he'd continue living as a solider or change into someone else? Besides, how could he possibly change? It was all he ever knew.

There was more to what Nicolai had said than the words he had spoken. He was hinting at something, but Hiiro refused to take the hint. There were too many consequences to accepting what was being said between the lines. The mere consideration of the matter threatened to break his heart. It was better to remain ignorant and let sleeping demons lie in the past.

Rolling over to lie on his side, he closed his eyes and forced his mind to relax. He was extremely tired, but thoughts continued running frantically through his head. He lay still for what felt like hours. Finally, his mind calmed and sleep slowly crept in. That's when he heard Nicolai's voice from behind the door.

"Hey, it's me. How are you?"

Hiiro opened his eyes and listened. The man's voice was coming from the living area. It sounded like he was on the phone, because he couldn't hear a response.

"Yeah, I had a rough night too. Hiiro got away and I had to search for him for the past twenty four hours."

Nicolai was reporting to someone again. In an instant, the trust Hiiro had felt towards the man disappeared once again. After the conversation on the bridge and the pancakes for breakfast he had nearly forgotten why he had escaped in the first place. He wasn't safe.

"No, no, he's back with me. Everything's fine. I think he's just confused, that's all. He even called me 'Odin' a few times since he woke up from the coma." A pause, and then: "No, I don't think he understands what's going on yet. His mind is all jumbled up, he needs more time. He even went looking for his Gundam once."

Hiiro felt a pinch in his heart, a hurt for being accused of being inferior. He didn't like Nicolai's tone of voice at all. If he was expecting him to recover quickly so he could perform some sort of duty for him, then he could forget about it. He'd do everything in his power to pretend that he's still 'confused'. At least until he could come up with a proper escape plan.

"Yes, I know we're running out of time, but we still have another month before that happens. I— Wait a second," he suddenly said with alarm.

There was a long pause before the man continued, "No, no, it's nothing. I thought I saw a couple of thugs checking out the boat. It's probably just a few drunken kids. There are pubs all over the place."

The man was silent while the other person probably spoke. He then continued, "Don't worry, I'll be back before that happens," he promised, "I just hope Hiiro will agree to come with me. I don't want to force him into anything."

But people were always forcing him into one thing or another. Nothing he did was ever good enough for people. Even after seven years of training with Dr. J, they found him lacking of the skills to be their 'perfect soldier', and retrained him. Everything had been tougher, rougher, and more brutal than the first time.

Then, he ended the war for them. He nearly sacrificed his life while self-detonating in Siberia. He barely survived while trying to save the Earth from the falling piece of the Libra station. But that wasn't enough either. They started another war a year later and he nearly died stopping that one as well.

Surviving Wing Zero's crash against all odds, he woke up to find himself caught in the webs of another ploy, another war perhaps, another person expecting him to exceed himself for some cause. When was it going to end? He was nothing but a tool, wasn't he?

Nicolai had mentioned that they had a month before whatever needed to happen would occur. He'd have until then to gather his strength, form a proper plan, and get the hell out of there before Nicolai would use him too.

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o. o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.